Cold Peanut Sesame Noodles Delight (Printable version)

Savor chilled noodles in creamy peanut sauce with cucumber for a light, refreshing meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Noodles

01 - 350 g dried wheat noodles (such as Chinese wheat noodles, spaghetti, or soba)

→ Sauce

02 - 4 tbsp peanut butter (creamy, unsweetened)
03 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame paste (tahini or Chinese sesame paste)
04 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
05 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
06 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
07 - 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
08 - 1 garlic clove, finely grated
09 - 1–2 tsp freshly grated ginger
10 - 1–2 tsp chili-garlic sauce (optional, to taste)
11 - 3–4 tbsp warm water (to thin sauce as needed)

→ Toppings

12 - 1 large cucumber, julienned or thinly sliced
13 - 2–3 scallions, thinly sliced
14 - 2 tbsp roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
15 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
16 - Fresh cilantro or mint leaves (optional)
17 - Lime wedges (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, sesame paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey (or maple syrup), garlic, ginger, and chili-garlic sauce (if using). Add warm water a tablespoon at a time until a smooth, pourable sauce forms.
03 - Place the cooled noodles in a large mixing bowl. Add most of the sauce and toss to combine thoroughly. If the noodles are too sticky, add a little more water or sauce until evenly coated.
04 - Arrange noodles on serving plates. Top generously with cucumber slices, scallions, chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, and fresh herbs. Serve with lime wedges if desired. Drizzle with any remaining sauce.
05 - Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This creamy noodle dish instantly cools you down on a hot day.
  • The sauce is so delicious you'll want to keep a jar of it in your fridge!
02 -
  • The key to avoid mushy noodles is to rinse them well after cooking.
  • Pace yourself with the sauce; you can always add a little more, but you can’t take it away!
03 -
  • Allowing the flavors of the sauce to rest for a few minutes lets them meld beautifully.
  • For an extra depth of flavor, toast the sesame seeds before sprinkling them on.
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