One thing that we’ve noticed over the years is that food plays such an important role our in lives and not just for fuel but for entertaining and providing us with fond memories too.
We’ve chatted to some of Ireland’s well-known faces and eateries to discover their favourite dishes and meals, be it from their childhood or simply something they like to rustle up at home.
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This week, we’re looking at using some tasty bacon and ham to create a mouth-watering salad.
As part of a new range of cooking inspiration featuring quality assured bacon, Bord Bia has shared a delicious recipe for bacon, noodle and crispy vegetable salad.
Who says lunch has to be a boring sandwich? Try this salad for a flavour-filled healthy alternative.
Bacon, Noodle and Crispy Vegetable Salad
Have dinner on the table in no time with this tasty salad.
Serves: 4
Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 500g bacon pieces, cut into 5cm pieces
- 5cm piece of ginger
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 chilli
- 1 teasp. black peppercorns
- 130g thin egg noodles
- 100g mangetout, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, peeled and finely sliced
- ¼ Chinese cabbage, finely shredded
- ½ red onion, finely sliced
- 1 red pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced
- 2 tablesp. coriander leaves, chopped
- 2 tablesp. mint leaves, chopped
- 60g roasted cashew nuts
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Dressing
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablesp. fish sauce
- 1 tablesp. brown sugar
- 1 red chilli, finely chopped
- 5cm piece of ginger, finely grated
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
- 2 tablesp. olive oil
To Serve: Crusty bread
Method:
- Place the bacon pieces in a saucepan, add in the piece of ginger, whole garlic clove and chilli and peppercorns. Cover with cold water. Bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer and allow to cook, covered, for half an hour. Remove the bacon and allow to cool. Discard the cooking liquid.
- Cook the noodles according to the packet instructions. Drain and cool.
- Mix together the dressing ingredients, stir well to dissolve the sugar.
- In a large serving bowl combine the bacon, noodles, mangetout, carrot, cabbage, red onion and red pepper. Keep aside a little coriander and mint leaves to sprinkle over the final dish, mix the rest through the noodle and vegetable mixture along with the dressing. Mix well. Taste and season.
- To serve, sprinkle over the remaining herbs and cashew nuts. Serve with some crusty bread.
