“The journey is the reward” –Chinese Proverb
You know how I told you guys about Boy’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad news? Do you remember my sunny disposition, and how I told you all we would turn those moldy lemons into fantastic, sparkling and spiked lemonade?? Well, we did! Already!! I am, however, not at liberty to share this super-duper exciting news with you all, just yet. But I will, I promise! And, I’d like to say, this yet to be announced, wonderful news is proof that there is a silver lining in everything.
Life is what it is. At times it is filled with devastation, but it is also what you make out of it. So, the next time your life is a metaphorical thunderstorm and a load of crap is raining down around you, look for that rainbow at the end of the storm. I promise, it is there.
Let the unexpected and unpleasant detours of life be a part of your road to happiness. You are the designer of your own destiny. Life will always have obstacles; people will always try to tell you that you “can’t” or stand in your way. Embrace the hard times, for they have to happen for you to truly appreciate the wonderfully glorious ones.
Enough motivational sap for today, besides “wonderfully glorious” is a perfect segue into today’s dish – Thai Ginger Steak Noodle Salad. This noodle salad is healthy, light, delicious, and a perfect dish to devour during this hot summertime weather.
Let’s discuss the elements of this seriously scrumptious salad. The flank (or skirt) steak is fabulously flavorful from a slightly sweet, salty, and savory ginger based marinade. It is also slightly smoky from the grill, and by cutting it across the grain the steak remains tender, succulent and juicy. Boy and I ate some of the steak on its own, because to be honest, the ginger marinade produces a darn delicious steak.
However, I am a fan of sprucing up dishes. And, this steak is made even more wonderful when paired with crisp, crunchy, fresh, thinly sliced vegetables; soft, slurp-able vermicelli noodles and a heavy sprinkling of herb-a-licious basil and mint leaves.
You all should know by now that, in my world (and hopefully yours too), no salad is complete without a dressing. This salad is complimented with a Thai vinaigrette that provides a citric, salty, slightly sweet and spicy punch of flavor. Overall, this steak noodle salad is an umami flavor bomb and I’m seriously smitten.
So, whether you are at a crossroads in life, or perfectly content with where you are at, this Thai Ginger Steak Noodle Salad is the perfect dish to devour… as you contemplate your next course of action or celebrate life’s successes. Regardless, I know you are going to love this salad as much as I do. Cheers, friends – to silver linings and the pursuit of happiness!
-xoxo-
Cheyanne
P.S. If you are aware of Boy and I’s good news, please do NOT post what the news entails in the comments section. 🙂 Thanks!
Thai Ginger Steak Noodle Salad
Ingredients
- Ginger Marinade:
- 1 (4’’) Piece Ginger – peeled and thinly sliced
- ¼ Cup Sesame Oil
- 6 Cloves Garlic – smashed and peeled
- 2 TSB Soy Sauce
- 2 tsp Rice Wine Vinegar
- 1 tsp Lime Juice
- 1 TBS Honey
- 2 TBS Peanut Oil
- ½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Salt
- Salad:
- 1 pound Flank Steak or Skirt Steak – cleaned and silver skin removed
- 2-3 ounces Dried Vermicelli Noodles or Glass Noodles –prepared according to package directions, drained and chilled
- 1 ½ Cups Iceberg Lettuce – shredded
- 1 ½ Cups Cabbage – shredded
- 1 Carrot – julienned
- ½ English Cucumber – thinly sliced (about 1 heaping cup)
- 1 Cup Sugar Snap Peas – thinly sliced
- 1 small Red Bell Pepper – thinly sliced (about 1 heaping cup)
- ½ Red Onion – thinly sliced (about 1 heaping cup)
- ¼ Cup Thai Basil Leaves – roughly chopped*
- ¼ Cup Mint Leaves – roughly chopped
- 1/3 Cup Peanuts – roughly chopped
- Thai Vinaigrette:
- 2 TBS Lime Juice
- 1 TBS Fish Sauce
- 2 TBS Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil
- 2 TBS Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 Cloves Garlic - minced
- 1 tsp Sriracha , or more to taste
- 2 TBS Honey
- 1 tsp Rice Wine Vinegar
- 1 TBS Hoison
- 1 ½ tsp Ginger – grated or minced
- 1 TBS Mirin
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes , to taste
- ¼ tsp Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: In a small mixing bowl, whisk all ingredients together until thoroughly combined. For best results, allow flavors to marry overnight, stored in the refrigerator.
- Meanwhile, Marinate the Steak: In a nonreactive dish or large Ziploc bag, combine all of the marinade ingredients. Mix well. Add the steak and turn to coat. Cover dish or seal bag and allow to marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator, turning to coat periodically. If you are refrigerating steak, remove it from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature.
- For the Salad: In a large bowl, mix all of the salad ingredients except the steak and the peanuts. Toss with half of the vinaigrette until salad is well coated. Divide salad between serving plates.
- Cook the Steak: Heat grill, cast iron skillet or grill pan to medium high and lightly oil grates. Remove steak from marinade, shaking off excess and add it to grill. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-4 minutes per side for medium rare (depending on thickness).
- Transfer steak to a cutting board, season with additional salt and pepper, and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Slice thinly across the grain and transfer to a large bowl. Toss with 3 Tablespoons of the vinaigrette.
- To Serve: Mound or arrange slices of steak on top of salad, sprinkle with peanuts and serve with additional dressing on the side.
Notes
Nutrition
You keep coming up on FoodPornDaily, and I gotta say, your photography and recipes really stand out from a lot of what appears on that site. This looks awesome, I love fresh Asian salads like this, and of course, who can resist steak? Thanks, can’t wait to try it!
Thank you SO much for the HUGE compliment!! You honestly just made my day!! 🙂 Hope you do try this steak noodle salad, because it is seriously delicious! Cheers, and thank you again for the kind words!
I am a believer that everything happens for a reason…and it sounds like this was definitely true in your case! Can’t wait to hear the good news. 🙂
You and I both, my dear! And I can’t wait to share the dang news already. Whats the point of having a blog if you can’t share good news? To share delicious recipes only? Well thats no fun. lol. Cheers to beautiful weekend!
So glad to hear you got some good news!
This dish looks fabulous and so colorful!
Thanks, Sam! I’ll never turn down good news… especially when it follows bad news! Cheers and wishing you a fabulous rest of the week!
What an amazing looking salad bowl! Loving all the awesome flavors here! Everything is just so mouth-watering!
Thanks, Anu!! 🙂 Mouth-watering is a huge compliment *blushing*!! Cheers!
Can’t wait to hear the good news! Love this salad! I am a big fan of Thai flavors and can just imagine how tasty this was! It looks amazing!
Thanks, Kelly! This salad was really tasty.. substantial but light all at the same time, a favorite combo of mine. Something that fills you up, but doesn’t leave you feeling “food fat” 🙂 Thanks for the sweet comment! Cheers and warm wishes for a wonderful rest of the week!
I love Thai basil. The smell is intoxicating to me. And I agree, regular basil can not replace it. This salad looks fabulous, and that steak is calling my name! Congrats on your good news!!
Thao, I could not agree more- Thai basil rocks the dang house! Thanks for the congrats 🙂 Cheers, my dear and thanks again for the kind words!
Hmmm…I can’t wait to hear the good news! In the meantime, I’ll be perfectly fine sitting back and eating this Thai Ginger Steak salad. That steak looks perfect! Now you should know that you have motivated me to get up and finish my work for the day…thanks for the motivational kick in the rear! 🙂
I can’t wait to share the news, David. I’m not one for keeping wonderful news a secret, but due to the circumstances I have to. For the time being at least! A dude saying my steak looks perfect is a HUGE compliment, so thank you! You just made my day! 😉 Hope you got all your work done and it is my pleasure to provide a motivational kick in the rear! Cheers, buddy!
Yessss Positive Attitude!! Cannot wait to hear your news! And this salad…there isn’t a flavor I don’t love! You’re speaking my language with this one! The language of delish! Thanks for sharing, lovely lady!
Thanks, Annie! Positivity is where it is at! I can’t do negative Nancy, life is just too short. And life should be celebrated, perferably while enjoying this salad. lol 🙂 Cheers, girl!
What a gorgeous meal! Look at all those crisp, bright veggies and that mouthwatering, juicy steak! I can just taste the divineness that is this dish…wow. And what a wonderful attitude to have about life and hardship – you’re so right. We should embrace the obstacles that come our way, learn from them, and accept that there’s always something better around the corner 🙂 Lovely, Cheyanne! XO
Thank you so much for all the kind words, Beeta!! *Insert huge smile here!* You are too sweet! 🙂 Cheers, pretty lady!
That’s wonderful news that something good happened! I can’t wait to hear all about it! Thanks so much for the pep talk too! 🙂 Now, this salad would have probably made everything better too! I’m totally with you on the dressing – I don’t really want one without it either. I’m loving the noodles and all the thai flavors going on in here adn that steak looks perfect! Cheers and congrats on the good news!
Rachelle, I’m giggling. I’m not sure if the pep talk was intentional or not 😉 But i’m glad to be of help (and serve as your personal cheerleader! Feel free to hit me up anytime) I know some people like a dry salad… I.Just.Can’t. Glad your can’t either! Thanks for the kind words and the congrats! I’m super excited and can’t wait to share the news. Suspense. It’s killing me. Cheers, girlfriend!
Congrats dude, as always you’re a wizard-ess with the photos. Great recipe!
Thanks, Adam. You actually know the news already. I apprechiate you not spilling the beans! And thanks for the smoke up my bumm with the “wizard-ess” comment. Lol. 🙂 Cheers, buddy!
This salad looks absolutely perfect! I love the thai and ginger combo. Definitely gives the steak a little kick! I think I could devour the bowl and then some! Yum!
Thanks, Gayle! I love ginger (and garlic).. I could literally put it in everything. It goes great with the steak and this salad. 🙂 Thanks so much for the kind comment!! 🙂 Cheers!
Oh, now I’m curious to hear the good news! I’m glad you guys found a way of turning moldy lemons into delicious lemonade. Life is all about these moments and how we deal with them! Also, this salad probably helped, as it looks and sounds DELICIOUS!
OMG, Olivia- I can not WAIT to tell you guys the news!! I hate having to keep it a secret… it’s torture!!!! 🙁 Maybe I should make this salad again, to help me deal? 😉 Cheers, my sweets!
Hi gorgeous, fabulously gorgeous salad!
You’re so beautiful that you make me speechless.
You don’t need any words indeed, right?! But you should know, if your owner introduced you to me, I would definitely eat you.
Ups, that doesn’t sound any romantic:)
P.S. The blog of your owner is making me a carnivorous guy:)
Hi Ben’s computer!
You are too funny.
You leave me giggling and sometimes cause me to fall out of my chair.
P.S. I’m a huge fan of your owner and his blog. Tell him to send me some dang donuts!
P.S.S. Tell him I’m happy to be contributing to making him more carnivorous. We all need a little meat every now and then.
P.S.S.S. Tell him to try cooking that meat himself… and surprise his significant other with his grilling abilities.
Cheers!
Error 475897654330012788. Your message hasn’t been delivered. That was the tablet.
what in the world?? I’ve never seen that before, Ben…. weird.
You are SO right. A salad is not complete without dressing. This looks incredible. OMG that steak!! 🙂 And I can’t wait to hear the news!
Lauren, glad you agree a salad (or everything if you ask me) needs a dressing (or a sauce)! 🙂 Thanks for the kind words! Cheers, girlie!
Can’t wait to hear the news!
Can’t wait to deliver it, April! I’m dying to share it!
Oh my, talk about silver linings and the pursuit of happiness!, I think we are always faced with either bad news or great news, and your totally right it is what we make of it! and what actions we take at each crossroad! I am super glad to hear you have got great news! and I am making this salad tomorrow at noon for Patrick I am sure he will love this… let you know how it turn out.. Hugs and kisses!
Thanks, G! If you do make this salad, please let me know how it turns out!! Hope he loves it!! xoxo