Soba Noodle Salad with Ginger Peanut Dressing

INGREDIENTS:

6 oz            Soba Noodles, low sodium

1/2 cup      Peanut Butter, no stir

1/4 cup      Brown Rice Vinegar

1 Tbs         Agave Nector or Maple Syrup

1 Tbs         Fresh Ginger, minced

2 tsp          Soy Sauce, low sodium

1 clove      Garlic, peeled

1 Tbs         Lime juice

1/2 cup      Chopped Cilantro, divided

1 ea           Cucumber, peeled, seeded and sliced (1 1/2 cups)

1 sm          Red Bell Pepper, sliced (1 cup)

2 Tbs         Peanuts, chopped (optional)

DIRECTIONS

– Cook noodles in boiling salted water according to the package directions. Drain, and rinse under cold running water.

– Puree peanut butter, vinegar, agave nectar, ginger, soy sauce, garlic, lime juice, lime zest and 1/4 cup cilantro in blender or food processor until smooth and creamy, adding 2/3 tbs if warm water to thin if necessary.

– Toss together noodles, cucumber, bell pepper, carrot and peanut mixture. Garnish with remaining cilantro and chopped peanuts, if using.