Cold Sesame Noodle Salad

I love cold sesame noodles from the Chinese restaurant. Try this as a main dish or serve with teriyaki marinated chicken skewers for the meat eaters.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 lb udon noodles
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped peanuts
• 1  bunch  chopped scallion
• 1  cucumber, peeled and sliced
• 1  cup  blanched snow peas
• 1  cup  grated carrot
• 1⁄2 cup peanut butter
• 1⁄2 cup tahini
• 2  tablespoons tamari soy sauce
• 2  tablespoons  chinese-style  dark sesame oil
• 1  tablespoon  hot chili oil (or substitute with 1/2 tsp cayenne)
• 2  tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1  inch  piece ginger, grated
• 1⁄2 cup water
•  toasted black & sesame seeds
•  cilantro (to garnish) (optional)

Directions

1. Cook noodles according to package directions and cool.
2. Meanwhile, combine peanut butter, tahini, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili oil, vinegar, water and ginger in a small saucepan.
3. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to marry flavors, then remove from heat and cool.
4. Combine noodles, sauce, peanuts, snow peas, cucumber, scallions and carrots.
5. Garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds.