Sesame Noodle Salad

What you need

8 oz. or 225 g / Chow mein Chinese noodles or whole wheat linguini noodles
1/2 cup or 125 ml / Chunky peanut butter, low fat, low sugar
2 tsp or 20 ml / Sesame oil
2 tbsp or 60 ml / Soy sauce, low sodium
1 tsp or 5 ml / Ginger
1 tsp or 5 ml / Cayenne pepper
2 / Cloves of garlic, minced
1/3 cup or 80 ml / Chicken broth, warmed, reduced sodium, low fat
1 / Medium red pepper, cut into 3.8 inch or 1 cm pieces
3 / Green onions, sliced in long, thin pieces
To taste Sesame seeds for garnish
1 cup or 250 ml Cooked pork or chicken (optional)
How to cook
1.  To prepare the noodles, bring 2 litres (2 quarts) of water to a boil in a large pot set over high heat. Stir in the noodles and bring to a second boil. Cook until al dente slightly firm to the bite, approximately 8 minutes. Drain the noodles in a colander under cold running water. Reserve until ready to use.
2.  To make the sauce, combine the peanut butter with the canola and sesame oils, and blend well. Whisk in the soy sauce, ginger, cayenne pepper, crushed garlic and chicken broth.
3.  Pour sauce over the noodles. Add the red pepper and cooked meat (if using) and toss.
4.  Sprinkle with the scallions and sesame seeds.
5.  Serve cold or at room temperature.
No Bake Energy Bites

Brown Lentil and Pasta Soup
4 strips of lean bacon, cut into small squares
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 ¾ oz/50 g dried farfallini (small pasta bows)
14 oz/ 400 g canned brown lentils, drained
5 cups vegetable stock
2 tbsp chopped fresh mint (optional)
1). Place the bacon in large skillet together with the onion, garlic, and celery. Cook 4-5 minutes, stirring, until the onion is tender and the bacon is just beginning to brown.
2). Add the pasta to the skillet and cook, stirring, for 1 minute, to coat the pasta in the fat.
3). Add the lentils and the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until pasta is tender but still firm to bite.
4). Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the chopped fresh mint. Ladle into warmed bowls, garnish with fresh mint and serve!
Delicious Salad!
(I’m not sure what it is really called, but it is delicious!!)
Spinach
Apples cut into small pieces
Yellow raisins
Onion chopped
Goat cheese
Caramelized walnuts
Baby tomatoes cut in half
Raspberry vinaigrette