Chilled Cucumber Noodles

Ingredients

• 1 English cucumber (about 1 pound, thinly sliced)
• 1 garlic clove (smashed)
• 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 3 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
• 1 cup cold water
• 2 cup ice
• 0.5 medium sweet onion (about 4 ounces)
• 9.5 oz somen noodles (1 package (3 bunches))
• 2 red tomatoes (ripe, about 1 pound, thinly sliced)
• 0.5 cup fresh basil leaves (thinly sliced)
• olive oil (for drizzling)

Steps

1. 1

   Take half of the English cucumber slices, give them a rough chop, and add them to the bowl of a blender, a food processor, or a medium mixing bowl if using an immersion blender.

2. 2

   Add the smashed garlic, 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 3 teaspoons sugar, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 cup cold water to the bowl with the chopped cucumbers.

3. 3

   Blend the mixture until completely smooth, which should take about 2 minutes.

4. 4

   Transfer the blended cucumber mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in 2 cups of ice until the ice has melted.

5. 5

   Place the cucumber broth in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

6. 6

   Thinly slice the half sweet onion and rinse the slices under cold water; drain and set aside.

7. 7

   Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the somen noodles according to the package directions, approximately 2 minutes.

8. 8

   Drain the noodles and rinse thoroughly with cold water until the noodles are cold and feel bouncy; shake out as much excess water as possible.

9. 9

   Divide the cooled noodles into four individual serving bowls.

10. 10

    Divide the chilled cucumber broth between the bowls and top each with the sliced tomatoes, sliced basil, rinsed onion, and the remaining sliced cucumber.

11. 11

    Finish each bowl with a healthy drizzle of olive oil and serve immediately.

Notes

For extra protein, you can add shredded rotisserie chicken or thinly sliced roasted turkey. If somen noodles are unavailable, vermicelli rice noodles make a good substitute.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• vegetarian
• cold noodles
• summer
• refreshing
• healthy
• quick