Chilled Asian Noodles with Creamy Peanut-Sesame Sauce
This Chilled Asian Noodle dish is a perfect blend of flavors and textures, featuring a luscious peanut-sesame dressing that offers a delightful creamy contrast to the al dente noodles. The dressing, rich in umami and subtle spice, can be prepared well in advance and stored indefinitely in the refrigerator. With the option to add vibrant vegetables and crunchy peanuts, this recipe can be customized to suit any palate. Ideal for warm days, potlucks, or as a quick meal prep option, these noodles are best served at room temperature, allowing the flavors to shine. Enjoy a refreshing and satisfying dish that captures the essence of Asian street food right at your table!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Peanut Butter
6 tablespoons (Smooth)
Water
1/4 cup (As needed)
Light Soy Sauce
3 tablespoons (Liquid)
Dark Soy Sauce
6 tablespoons (Liquid)
Tahini (sesame paste)
6 tablespoons (Smooth)
Dark Sesame Oil
1/2 cup (Liquid)
Sherry Wine
2 tablespoons (Liquid)
Rice Wine Vinegar
4 teaspoons (Liquid)
Honey
1/4 cup (Liquid)
Garlic Cloves, minced
4 medium (Minced)
Fresh Ginger, minced
2 teaspoons (Minced)
Hot Pepper Oil
1-2 tablespoons (to taste) (Liquid)
Hot Water
1/2 cup (As needed)
Chinese Noodles (or any spaghetti or fettuccini-type pasta)
1 lb (Cooked)
Dark Sesame Oil
2 tablespoons (For tossing)
Carrot, peeled
1 (Optional, for garnish)
Firm Cucumber, peeled, seeded, and julienned
1/2 medium (Optional, for garnish)
Roasted Peanuts, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup (Optional, for garnish)
Green Onions, thinly sliced
2 (Optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Boil a large pot of water over medium heat. Once boiling, add the Chinese noodles and cook until just tender yet still firm to the bite, about 4-6 minutes. Drain immediately and rinse thoroughly with cold water until completely chilled. Make sure to drain well after rinsing.
2
In a mixing bowl, toss the noodles with the dark sesame oil (2 tablespoons) to prevent sticking and set aside.
3
For the dressing, combine the peanut butter, water, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, tahini, dark sesame oil (1/2 cup), sherry wine, rice wine vinegar, honey, minced garlic, minced ginger, and hot pepper oil in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. Gradually add hot water until the mixture reaches a consistency similar to that of whipping cream.
4
To create carrot curls, take the peeled carrot and shave the flesh into long strips. Soak these shavings in ice water for about 15 minutes to achieve a curly texture.
5
Just before serving, add the creamy peanut-sesame sauce to the noodles and toss well to ensure the noodles are evenly coated.
6
Garnish your dish with the julienned cucumber, coarsely chopped roasted peanuts, sliced green onions, and carrot curls. Serve at room temperature for optimal flavor.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chilled Asian Noodles with Creamy Peanut-Sesame Sauce?
This is a refreshing Asian-inspired dish featuring noodles tossed in a luscious peanut-sesame dressing that captures the essence of street food.
How long should I cook the Chinese noodles?
Boil the noodles for 4-6 minutes until they are just tender yet still firm to the bite.
What can I use as a substitute for Chinese noodles?
You can use any spaghetti or fettuccini-type pasta as a substitute for Chinese noodles.
How do I keep the noodles from sticking after cooking?
After draining and rinsing with cold water, toss the noodles with 2 tablespoons of dark sesame oil to prevent sticking.
What are the primary ingredients in the dressing?
The dressing contains peanut butter, tahini, soy sauces, sesame oil, sherry, rice wine vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, and hot pepper oil.
Can the peanut-sesame sauce be made in advance?
Yes, the dressing can be prepared well in advance and stored in the refrigerator until needed.
How do I adjust the consistency of the sauce?
Gradually add hot water to the blended mixture until it reaches a consistency similar to whipping cream.
What is the best way to serve these noodles?
The noodles are best served at room temperature to allow the full profile of flavors to shine.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as vegetarian and contains no meat products.
How do I make the carrot curls for garnish?
Shave a peeled carrot into long strips and soak them in ice water for approximately 15 minutes to make them curl.
What kind of peanut butter is recommended?
The recipe calls for 6 tablespoons of smooth peanut butter for the dressing.
What is the purpose of tahini in this recipe?
Tahini, or sesame paste, adds richness and a deep sesame flavor to the creamy dressing.
How much garlic and ginger are used?
The recipe requires 4 medium minced garlic cloves and 2 teaspoons of minced fresh ginger.
Is the dish spicy?
The dish has a subtle spice from the hot pepper oil, which can be adjusted to your personal taste.
Can I use this recipe for meal prep?
Yes, it is an ideal quick meal prep option as the dressing stores well and the dish is served chilled or at room temperature.
What garnishes are suggested for this dish?
Suggested garnishes include julienned cucumber, roasted peanuts, sliced green onions, and carrot curls.
How do I prepare the cucumber?
The cucumber should be peeled, seeded, and julienned before being added as a garnish.
Does the recipe require specific types of soy sauce?
Yes, it uses both light soy sauce for saltiness and dark soy sauce for depth of flavor and color.
What sweetener is used in the sauce?
1/4 cup of liquid honey is used to balance the savory and umami flavors.
How much sesame oil is needed in total?
You will need 1/2 cup for the dressing and an additional 2 tablespoons for tossing the noodles.
How long does the dressing last in the fridge?
The description indicates the dressing can be stored almost indefinitely in the refrigerator.
What type of vinegar is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies using 4 teaspoons of rice wine vinegar.
Can I use this for a potluck?
Yes, its ability to be served at room temperature makes it perfect for potlucks and outdoor gatherings.
How much hot pepper oil should I add?
You should add between 1 to 2 tablespoons of hot pepper oil, depending on your spice preference.
What should the texture of the sauce be?
The sauce should be smooth, creamy, and have a thickness similar to whipping cream.
How much pasta is required?
The recipe is designed for 1 lb of Chinese noodles or similar pasta.
What kind of wine is used in the dressing?
2 tablespoons of sherry wine are blended into the sauce for extra flavor depth.
Is the sauce blended or whisked?
The instructions recommend using a blender or food processor to ensure a smooth and creamy consistency.
Can I add extra vegetables?
Yes, the recipe is customizable and encourages the addition of vibrant vegetables to suit your palate.
How many green onions should I slice?
The recipe suggests using 2 thinly sliced green onions for garnishing.