Colour crunch noodle & papaya slaw with sesame lime dressinG

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This salad is full of antioxidants from an array of colourful produce, containing plenty of the powerful antioxidants vitamins C & E. Individually these vitamins have wonderful antioxidant properties, but when combined in a meal they work synergistically together to create a more powerful antioxidant effect to further prevent cell damage and slow ageing. 

Salad: 

100g thin rice noodles 

1 cup red cabbage, shredded 

1 cup green cabbage, shredded 

1-2 cups baby bok choy (or other dark leafy greens), 

finely sliced 

1 red capsicum, sliced into thin strips 

½ - ¾ cup carrot, finely sliced into matchsticks or grated 

1 cup broccoli (approx. ½ of a medium head) 

⅓ cup each of fresh coriander and mint leaves, roughly chopped 

1 papaya, seeds and skin removed, sliced into strips  

Dressing:  

2 Tb sesame oil 

½ Tb light soy sauce  

3-4 Tb lime juice  

1 Tb fish sauce 

1½ Tb brown sugar   

1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped  

2 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated  

1 small garlic clove, peeled and crushed   

To serve:  

1-2 Tb black or white sesame seeds  

3-4 Tb cashew nuts or peanuts, roasted  

Extra coriander and mint leaves to garnish (optional)

1) Place thin rice noodles into a large, heatproof bowl. Cover noodles with boiling water and cover. Leave for 5 mins until noodles have softened. Drain and refresh under cold water.

2) To make the dressing, place all ingredients in a screw top jar. Shake well until combined.

3) Slice broccoli into small florets, ensuring any pieces of stalk are thinly sliced.

4) Combine all prepared salad ingredients into a large bowl: red and green cabbage, bok choy, capsicum, carrot, broccoli, drained noodles, mint, and coriander leaves. 

Note: The papaya can be added at this point if it’s green. If papaya flesh is very ripe, orange coloured and softer, set aside to be added on top of salad before serving.

5) Just before serving, pour the dressing onto the salad ingredients. Toss to combine. 

Place ripe papaya slices on top (if not already in the salad). Top with roasted cashew nuts or peanuts, sesame seeds, and extra coriander or mint leaves if desired.   

For additional protein, top salad with cooked protein of choice eg. shredded chicken, sliced beef, prawns, or tofu.