Grilling season offers the perfect opportunity to lighten up. This recipe for Asian beef skewers with rice noodle vegetable salad is a healthy yet satisfying summer meal.

Rice sticks are flat rice noodles, similar in shape to linguine. They cook quickly and can become mushy if overcooked. If other shapes or sizes of rice noodles are used, prepare according to package directions. If desired, substitute linguine for rice sticks.

For this recipe, beef will slice more easily if very cold; freeze beef for about 30 minutes before slicing. Soaking the skewers in water helps prevent the skewers from charring or burning while grilling.

Unpeeled cucumber adds color and fiber.

Serving tip: Beef skewers also make a great appetizer. Prepare as directed, but omit noodle-vegetable salad. Drizzle with any remaining broth-soy mixture just before serving.

Asian Beef Skewers With Rice Noodle-Vegetable Salad

1 1/2 lbs. lean boneless sirloin steak, cut about 3/4-inch thick

1/2cup low-sodium beef broth

2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon Asian sweet chili sauce

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon minced gingerroot

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 carrot, shredded

1/2cucumber, seeded and chopped

1/2red bell pepper, chopped

1/2cup chopped red onion

2 tablespoons minced cilantro

8 oz. uncooked rice sticks

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

2 teaspoons peanut or canola oil

Place 18 (8-inch) wooden skewers in water and allow to soak about 30 minutes.

Slice beef into very thin strips, about 1/4-by-3-inches. Place beef strips in a small bowl.

Combine beef broth, soy sauce, chili sauce, sugar, ginger and garlic; stir to blend well.

Pour 1/4 cup of sauce over the beef. Toss to coat meat evenly, cover and refrigerate 15 minutes. Set remaining broth-soy mixture aside.

Combine carrot, cucumber, pepper, red onion and cilantro in a large bowl. Heat a pan of water to boiling. Add rice sticks and boil 2 to 3 minutes or until just tender. Drain well and add to vegetables. Measure out 1/4 cup of reserved broth-soy mixture and combine it with lime juice and oil; drizzle over vegetables and noodles; toss well.

Preheat grill to medium-high or allow coals to burn down to white ash. Drain beef and discard marinade. Thread strips of beef evenly onto skewers. Cook beef skewers over direct, medium-high heat, in an uncovered grill, about 2 minutes per side or until browned and cooked to medium doneness. Brush with remaining broth-soy mixture frequently while cooking. (Do not overcook beef.)

Arrange rice noodle-vegetable salad in a deep platter. Arrange hot beef skewers over salad. Makes 6 servings.

Per serving (1 cup noodle salad, 3 oz. cooked beef or about 3 skewers): 357 calories (24 percent from fat), 9 g total fat (3 g saturated), 59 mg cholesterol, 41 g carbohydrates, 26 g protein, 271 mg sodium, 1 g dietary fiber.

The Wichita Eagle—07/06/10