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Ready in just 15 minutes, this tangy, vegan salad is packed with heart-healthy antioxidants. This heart-healthy Thai salad fits lunch on the go. If you’re following a gluten-free diet, check the label of the soy sauce to make sure it’s gluten-free since some brands contain wheat. Experiment with other ingredients too: There are dozens of recipes for salads in a jar, all of which are perfect for an easy midday meal. Makes 4 servings to be packed in individual 1-quart Mason jars with lids. The anti-inflammatory cucumber salad base fights body heat. Heart prevention veggie noodles come from the spirals.
Salads like this pack up easily. Grab one from the fridge. Shake and eat. No mess at work. Veggies stay crisp in the jar. Dressing sits at the bottom. No soggy greens. Make four at once. Eat one each day. Chickpeas add fullness. Cashews crunch nicely. Spinach holds up cold. Kale works if you like tough leaves. Toast seeds in a dry pan. They brown fast. Watch closely. No burn. Garlic minces fine. Use a press. Honey sweetens light. Chili sauce brings kick. Oil coats smoothly.
For the Dressing
2 tablespoons dark sesame oil
2 tablespoons Thai sweet red chili sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons honey
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
This blood pressure-friendly Thai dressing skips salt load. Antioxidant-rich Thai veggie mix shines with it. Whisk in a bowl. Pour even into jars. Simple cucumber noodle for a heart boost starts here. Dressing soaks up slowly when you shake.
For the Salad
3 carrots, julienned or spiraled
2 cucumbers, spiraled
2 cups chickpeas, canned
1 green Bell pepper, chopped
1 cup unsalted cashews, toasted
4 cups spinach or kale
Rinse chickpeas well. No extra salt. Spiral carrots long. They twirl pretty. Cucumbers cut thin. No seeds if big. Pepper chips are bite-sized. Toast cashews lightly. They smell good hot. Greens pack last. Lid seals tight. The fridge keeps food fresh for three days.
Preparation
In a small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients: sesame oil, Thai sweet red chili sauce, minced garlic, soy sauce, honey, and sesame seeds. Pour into the bottom of the four Mason jars equally. For the salad, put one-fourth of the spiraled carrot in each jar. Divide the cucumber equally for the next layer, followed by the chickpeas, Bell pepper, and cashews. Top with spinach or kale. Close the Mason jar lids tightly and refrigerate salads until use.
When ready to eat the salad, shake the jar, place the contents in a salad bowl, and enjoy! Adapted from noshandnourish.com and peasandcrayons.com.
Layer order matters. Dressing first. Veggies next. Greens on top. Shake mixes evenly. Eat from the bowl if you like. Or straight from the jar. Forks work fine. Add protein if you want. Tofu cubes fit. No meat for a vegan. Swap kale for spinach. Both green goods. Carrots add sweet crunch. Cucumbers cool the spice. Peppers bring fresh snap. Chickpeas fill you up. Cashews add a nut bite. Seeds top with crunch. Honey tastes sweet. Chili warms the mouth. Garlic bites back. Oil smooths all.
Make this for trips. Jars stack in a bag. No spill. Lunch is ready quickly. Kids like the shake fun. Adults grab for desk. Health stays high. Antioxidants fight free radicals. Low salt keeps pressure low. Veggies load fiber. Chickpeas give plant power. Cashews pack healthy fats. No gluten if checked. Vegan all the way. Experiment with light. Try red pepper. Or add edamame. Keep jars clean. Wash hot. Dry full. Store dressing separately if long wait. Mix fresh then.
FAQs
What are the benefits of eating carrots and cucumbers?
Carrots give vitamin A for the eyes. Cucumbers add water to the skin. Both cut swelling. Fiber aids the gut. Low-cal fills you.
Is Thai glass noodle salad healthy?
Yes. Noodles made from rice stay light. Veggies pack vitamins. Dressing with low salt helps the heart. Add protein for a full meal.
How many calories are in a Thai cucumber salad?
About 250 per jar. Veggies low. Chickpeas add 150. Dressing brings 100. Cashews up it a bit. Skip nuts for less.
Why soak cucumbers in salt water before making cucumber salad?
Pulls out water. Keeps crisp. Cuts bitter taste. Salt draws juice. Rinse after. Dry pat. Stays firm in a jar.
About the Author: Carol
