10-16ouncesthin spaghetti-style noodlescooked according to package directions (see Cook's Note)
1small head Napa cabbagethinly sliced
6ouncesbaby spinachabout 4 cups
1/2small head of purple cabbage very thinly sliced
1English cucumbersliced lengthwise, then thinly sliced
1red bell peppersliced into thin matchsticks
1yellow bell peppersliced into thin matchsticks
1bunch green onionsthinly sliced
1bunch cilantrostems removed, chopped small
2cupssnow pea podsroughly chopped bite-size (optional)
2cupsbean sproutsor pea shoots (optional)
Instructions
Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a jar. Close tightly with a lid and shake to dissolve the sugar and combine thoroughly.
In a very large mixing bowl, toss together all of the salad ingredients with a pair of tongs or your hands. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Enjoy!
Notes
I like making this salad with glass or cellophane noodles, they can be found in the Asian section of most grocery stores. These noodles are typically made with sweet potato or bean starches. The noodles are almost completely flavorless on their own and they absorb the salad flavors beautifully. This salad is great with spaghetti, angel hair, or linguini noodles as well.When using cellophane noodles, I place the cooked noodles on a cutting board and roughly chop them a few times. They are extremely long noodles and this makes the salad much easier to serve and eat.
Please note that this makes a huge salad. Unless you are feeding a crowd, I recommend making a 1/2 recipe. When I make this salad, I prepare the full recipe and then place about 1/4 of the salad ingredients in a bowl along with 1/4 of the prepared dressing. Toss that together and enjoy. Repeat as desired with the remaining ingredients, just dressing the amounts of salad that we can eat within a day or two. The salad with dressing will keep for only a day or two in the refrigerator. Without the dressing, the salad should keep nicely for at least 4 days.