The Best Warm Pear Pad Thai Salad

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I am taking part in the “USA Pears Blogger Recipe Challenge”. This is my first entry into the side dish category.

USA Pears are at their peak of freshness right now, so I’m simply happy to accept this challenge using this beautiful versatile fruit. The fact that northwest pears come in 10 varieties and work well in both savory and sweet dishes get me excited about breaking away from the traditional side dishes I typically serve this time of year. I personally love Bosc and Anjou pears for baking, but any firm ripe pear variety works in this salad recipe. Pick your favorite. 

I hope you are ready to tingle your taste buds with this Pear Pad Thai Salad. It’s the “pear-fect” side dish to your roasted poultry, beef tenderloin or fish and will absolutely satisfy any take-out cravings. Here is the bonus: If you just happen to have a vegetarian guest at your table this really could be their meal, so no fretting as to what to serve them.

This Thai inspired pear noodle salad checks off the boxes for authentic Asian flavors. It’s crispy, crunchy, salty, sweet and tangy and in the time it takes to boil some noodles it’s ready to go.

The Best Warm Pear Pad Thai Salad

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• Author: Lisa Keys
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: Serves 6. 1x

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Description

This Thai inspired pear noodle salad checks off the boxes for authentic Asian flavors. It’s crispy, crunchy, salty, sweet and tangy and in the time it takes to boil some noodles it’s ready to go.

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Ingredients

Peanut Dressing

½ cup smooth peanut butter

¼ cup warm water

¼ cup rice vinegar

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon Thai fish sauce

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

½ teaspoon Thai red curry paste

 

Pear Pad Thai Salad

2 firm ripe USA pears, julienned (do not peel)

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

8 ounces pad Thai noodles, rice noodles or soba noodles

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

1 red bell pepper, julienned

1 carrot, julienned

¼ cup thinly sliced scallions including some of the bright green

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, plus additional for garnish

¼ cup chopped roasted peanuts

2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

 

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Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk all the Peanut Dressing ingredients together until well blended; set aside.
2. In another bowl, toss pears with lime juice; set aside.
3. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain noodles.
4. In large bowl, toss noodles with sesame oil and ¼ cup of dressing.  Add pears, including the lime juice, bell peppers, carrot, scallions and cilantro; toss to combine.
5. Pour remaining dressing over salad; toss again. Sprinkle with peanuts and sesame seeds. Garnish with cilantro. 

• Category: side dish
• Cuisine: Thai

Keywords: pad Thai, salad, healthy, Asian, pears

For more information and delicious recipes check out the website www.usapears.org and their social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram) @usapears