Asian Rice Noodle Salad

We started a new diet protocol that is a new way to group foods for fat loss.  Altshift.  It's mostly paleo and based on the research of one of our favorite "paleo guys" Jason Sieb.  It is working great for us and we really enjoy our shifts.  However it had us looking for low fat/high carbohydrate recipes that we hadn't eaten in years in our mostly high fat low carb approach to weight loss. We have found a few go to recipes for our "3 shift" and this is one of them.

It is a very fast flavorful dish that is;

• Gluten free
• Dairy free
• Low fat
• Low Calorie
• Low sugar
• Paleo-ish (Could omit rice noodles and use more veggies, and maybe leave out the hoisin)
• (Can be made vegan if you leave out the meat and fish sauce.)

I think I will be bringing this to many potluck bbq's this summer.

Asian Rice Noodle Salad;

Dressing;

• 1/2 Cup Wheat Free Tamari Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos
• 1/2 Cup Rice Vinegar
• Juice of one Lime
• 3 Tbs finely minced Ginger (I always have some frozen and just microplane it from frozen.)
• 1 T Toasted Sesame Oil 
• 2 Tbs Gluten Free Hoisin Sauce 
• 1 T Garlic Chili Sauce
• 1-2 T Red Boat Fish (leave out if making it vegan)
• 1/4 Cup Powered Peanut Butter (for peanut butter flavor without fat, it's also great without it if you are strict paleo.)

I like to blend this all up with an immersion blender in a jar, but a blender or whisk would work too.

Salad:

• 8 Ounces Rice Noodles cooked as directed on package.
• 10 Ounce package of Coleslaw Salad Mix (You could chop your own but I'm all about fast one this one.)
• 10 Ounce package shredded Carrots  
• 1 or 2 Red Bell Peppers, thinly sliced
• 5 chopped Green Onions, thinly sliced
• One bunch of Cilantro, chopped
• Any other veggies you'd like to add.  We have added cucumber, shredded zucchini, sprouts, napa cabbage, mint, thai basil.
• 1-2 lbs lean protein, chopped if needed.  We use lean ground turkey or chicken, shredded chicken breast, or our favorite shrimp.  (Optional if making it vegan or a side dish.)

Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.  Add dressing.  Toss and serve. You can garnish with more cilantro, green onions, black sesame seeds and/or with Sriracha as desired.  It's great as leftovers too.