Courgette and Noodle Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Extremely hot or cold weather is very unusual in the area where Bob and I live. Folks to the north and south of us seem to bear the brunt of seasonally bad weather, but every so often, usually after we've been smug about how pleasant it is here, Mother Nature and the prevailing winds choose to assert their authority and we either freeze or sizzle. We are sizzling now, and, if the long term forecast is to be believed, we'll be well-done or over-cooked before the weather breaks and we're comfortable again. I made a quick run to the market before dinner to pick up some rotisserie chickens, only to find there were none left. The gal at the counter apologetically chalked it up to the heat. Laziness, rather than the heat had led me to the deli counter, so I had to smile. I don't mind cooking in this weather, but I have found the heat affects my appetite. I need less and lighter food when the temperature climbs. I had fashioned a new, light salad that turned out well, so I was looking for a protein extender to keep my favorite carnivore happy and at the table. Fortunately, there were shrimp aplenty at the fish market and the dinner menu was set. I'm really excited about the salad. I hope you will try it and enjoy it as much as we did. I'd really like some feed back should you decide to make it. Be sure to follow the instructions that come with your rice or bean thread noodles. They can turn to mush if you let them soak to long. The rest of the recipe is a cakewalk, especially if you have a julienne peeler like the one that can be seen here. The salad is very easy to do, though I would suggest you make it several hours before you plan to serve it. My inspiration was the summer squash that is beginning to appear in markets throughout our area. This really warm weather assures that there will be plenty of it for the remainder of the summer. This recipe guarantees we'll eat our share of it and the squash won't go to waste. If you, too, share your table with a confirmed carnivore, shrimp or chicken would be a wonderful extender or accompaniment. Here's the recipe.

Courgette and Noodle Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing ...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
2 (8-oz. each) zucchini, julienned
2 (8-oz. each) yellow crookneck squash, julienned
2 ounces fine rice or bean thread noodles (i.e. saifun), soaked, drained and rinsed
Dressing
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
2 tablespoons shredded onion and juice
1/2 cup canola oil
1 tablespoon poppy seeds, divided use

Directions:
1) Place squash and noodles in a large bowl. Toss well to combine. Set aside.
2) Combine sugar, salt, lime juice, mustard, onion and juice, oil and 2 teaspoons poppy seeds in a small bowl. Whisk to dissolve sugar and combine all ingredients.
3) Pour half of poppy seed dressing into another large bowl. Add squash mixture and toss to coat with dressing. Add remainder of dressing as required to coat, but not drown, mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. Chill for at least 3 hours, tossing occasionally. To serve, drain and transfer to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with reserved teaspoon of poppy seeds. Yield: 6 - 8 servings.

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