Spicy Thai Lamb and Noodle Salad

Oodles of Spicy Noodles: Spicy Thai Lamb and Noodle Salad

Fresh Asian spices are the best way to keep cool and feel good this summer

Serves: 4
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 15 minutes

Ingredients
500g lamb rump steaks, fat trimmed
200g dried thin rice noodles
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
150g snow peas, trimmed, thinly sliced
200g cherry tomatoes, halved
1 large Lebanese cucumber, peeled into ribbons
1 small oakleaf or butter lettuce, leaves torn
1/2 cup mint leaves
1/2 cup coriander leaves
Juice of 1 lime
2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce
1/4 cup unsalted cashews, toasted, roughly chopped
Birds eye chillies, thinly sliced, snow pea sprouts, to serve

Method

Lightly spray a char-grill pan with oil and heat over medium-high heat. Season lamb and cook for 2-3 minutes each side or until cooked to your liking. Set aside on a plate loosely covered with foil to rest for 5 minutes. Thinly slice.
Prepare noodles according to packet instructions. Drain well. Transfer to a large bowl. Add lamb, onion, snow peas, tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce and herbs.
In a medium jug whisk lime juice, sweet chilli sauce, oil, soy and fish sauces. Add 3/4 of dressing to salad. Toss to combine.
To serve, place noodles on a large platter. Top with lamb salad. Serve sprinkled with cashews, chilli and snow pea sprouts with extra dressing on the side.

Hot Tips: Use long red or green chillies instead of bird's eye for less heat.
You can use lamb fillets, backstrap or lamb leg steaks instead of rump steaks.
Add extra vegetables, if desired – such as thinly sliced capsicum or carrot.

The Ingenious and Delicious Way to Handle the Heat this Summer

It's hot. It's really hot. All you want to do is grab a cold drink or ice block, but did you know this probably wouldn't help? While cold food and drink might give you temporary relief from the sweltering heat, the real trick to cooling down is not what you think.

Put down the icy-pole, it's time to introduce some spice to your life. Why? Because research shows eating hot foods will actually help you feel cooler this summer*. Researchers found that eating spicy foods with lots of chilli triggers an immediate response from the thermoregulatory system making your body sweat, which in turn cools down your body as sweat turns to water vapour - genius!

If you're a spice master or prefer a milder taste bud sensation, Australian Lamb has a tasty recipe to suit you. Quick, easy and packed full of flavour, these cooling recipes include tikka masala lamb kebabs, a spicy Thai noodle salad and wasabi lamb buns.

So what are you waiting for? It's time to cool down by cooking up a delicious lamb meal this summer.

Recipe from Australian Lamb