Asian Spinach Salad

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1/2 medium jalapeño pepper, finely chopped (2 teaspoons)
1 tablespoon grated gingerroot

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
!/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 ounces dried rice noodles or rice sticks
4 cups torn fresh spinach
3/4 cup dried tart cherries
1/3 cup chopped fresh mint leaves (or other fresh herbs)
2 medium carrots, shredded
1 medium cucumber, seeded and cut into 1 1/2-inch slivers
1/3 cup unsalted dry roasted peanuts

How to Prepare:
For the dressing, stir together orange juice, vinegar, jalapeño pepper, gingerroot, garlic, orange peel and black pepper. Set aside.

Cook rice noodles or rice sticks in a large pot of boiling water for 2 to 6 minutes or until tender. Drain. Immediately rinse with cold water. Drain. Fluff with a fork. Use kitchen scissors to cut up. Rinse again with cold water. Drain and fluff with a fork.

Toss together drained noodles, spinach, dried cherries, mint, carrots and cucumber. Drizzle with dressing. Toss to coat all ingredients with dressing. Sprinkle with peanuts. Serve immediately.