It’s been a few weeks since Mr. Fantastic and I had a Sunday, Funday!  Today, was the day!

We packed the cooler, and headed out to meet friends at Indian Creek Winery for a picnic and a little wine tasting. Located in Kuna, ID (about 30 minutes from us in Boise) this family owned and operated winery “craft[s] premium wines from the best grapes in the heart of Idaho’s Snake River Valley” . The winery offers a lovely escape into flowering gardens with a wide variety of wines to choose from.

Our picnic

Keeping primarily with my plant-based lifestyle. I decided to go with an Asian inspired cold noodle and veggie salad as the “main course”.  I love all things appetizer so there was humus and pita chips, fresh fruit and a splurge of a few cookies from the Whole Foods cookie bar.

It was a typical late summer day in Boise. Any more, that means smokey and warm. The air was close but the wine and company were excellent! There was plenty of trees for shade and good conversation that added up to the perfect way to spend this Sunday afternoon.

I used Tadka Pasta’s Saucy Sesame Noodle Salad for my inspiration.

For the Salad:

1/2 package of whole wheat spaghetti, cooked and rinsed in cold water
1 carrot, grated
1 red pepper, diced
1 cucumber, deseeded and sliced into strips
1/2 cup shreded, green cabbage
1/2 cup shreded, red cabbage
1/2 cup shredded, fresh spinach
2 tablespoons dry roasted peanuts
1 tablespoon sesame seeds

For the sauce:

1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated or minced
1 clove garlice, grated or minced
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon Sriracha
1/3 cup veggie stock

Heat sesame oil in a small saucepan, add ginger and garlic and stir for about 30 seconds or until fragrent. Remove from heat and add peanut butter and all other ingredients. Whisk throughly and set aside.

Put all veggies in a large bowl and mix. I eyeballed the amount of veggies I wanted so feel free to add more or less depending on your tastes. (I always opt for more veggies).

Add noodles to the veggies and mix (again, feel free to add the noodles you like to this dish).

Add the dressing and mix well. Add sesame seeds.

Add the peanuts just before serving.

Note: other vegetables work great in this salad! Use what you have on hand and/or like best!