Cold Sesame Noodles
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 pound Chinese egg noodles
- 3 tablespoons dark sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon red chili paste, such as Sambal Oelek, or Srirachi
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 6 tablespoons hot water
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Cucumber slices, for garnish
- Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
- Cook the noodles in large pot of boiling unsalted water over medium heat until barely tender and still firm.
- Drain immediately and rinse with cold water until cool.
- Drain the noodles really well and transfer to a wide bowl; toss with the sesame oil so they don't stick together.
- In a small saucepan, heat the peanut oil over medium-low flame.
- Add the green onions, ginger, garlic, and chili paste if using.
- Cook and stir for a minute until soft and fragrant.
- Mix in the brown sugar, peanut butter, vinegar, soy sauce, and hot water.
- Stir until the sugar is dissolved and the peanut butter has smoothed out.
- If using Srirachi, mix in now.
- Toss the noodles with the peanut sauce until well coated.
- Serve at room temperature or chilled.
- Garnish with the sesame seeds, cucumber slices, and cilantro.
- Yield: 4 servings