Sesame Noodles

Sesame noodles are a fast and easy way to create a delicious appetizer or a hearty side-dish that will compliment any Chinese entree. This recipe serves 4.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons sesame paste
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons of hot water
• 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon hot chili sauce (like Sriracha)
• 1 teaspoon salt

• 8 ounces fresh Chinese-style egg noodles
• 1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions
• 3 tablespoons roasted, chopped peanuts
• 1 cup hot house cucumber sliced to 1/4 inch thickness
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Preparation

1. Use large enough bowl to toss sauce and noodles. First, combine all sauce ingredients in large bowl, and whisk until it is smooth and thick.


2. To make noodles, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Sprinkle in egg noodles, stirring occasionally to separate. Boil two minutes, keeping them firm.


3. Drain well and pour over sauce mixture until evenly coated. Add a little more hot water, if needed, to soften noodles and even out sauce. Before serving, add cucumber and peanuts. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Transfer to serving platter and serve hot, warm or cold.

Variations

• Substitute hot sauce with 1 teaspoon of hot chili oil.
• Substitute linguini or spaghetti pasta for Chinese noodles.
• Add 1 teaspoon of dark soy sauce to mixture, then blend.
• Add 1/4 cup Szechuan preserved vegetables, finely chopped, during peanut and cucumber step.
• Garnish with thick sliced tomatoes and/or cherry tomatoes and fresh basil before serving.