Cold Sesame Noodles With Chicken And Cucumber Recipes

COLD SESAME NOODLES

Steps:

• Cook the noodles al dente and reserve some of the cooking liquid. Rinse the noodles with cold water and drain.
• Stir together all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl until combined. Julienne the scallion, carrot, and cucumber.
• Blanch bean sprouts in boiling water for 15 seconds and put into an ice bath and drain.
• In a bowl, pour the sauce over the noodles. Add the vegetables, chopped cilantro, crushed peanuts and toasted sesame seeds on top and serve immediately, along with extra toppings like chili sauce, rice vinegar, or soy sauce.

COLD SESAME NOODLES WITH SHREDDED CHICKEN

Steps:

• First, make the shredded chicken. (As noted above, you can do this the day before and just take the shredded chicken out of the refrigerator before you begin the final preparations.) Boil 4 qts. of water with one tablespoon of salt. When the water reaches a boil, add the chicken and cook for about 20-25 minutes.
• Pour out the water and allow the chicken to cool on a cutting board or in a bowl.
• If you are unable to find toasted sesame seeds, toast the sesame seeds in a medium skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Reserve 1 tablespoon sesame seeds in a small bowl.
• In a blender or small food processor, puree the remaining 3 tablespoons sesame seeds, peanut butter, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, hot sauce, and sugar until smooth, about 30 seconds. With the machine running, add hot water 1 tablespoon at a time until the sauce has the consistency of heavy cream, about 5 tablespoons; set the mixture aside (it can be left in the blender jar or food processor workbowl). If you wish, add the crushed red pepper for a little zing. (Start with 1/8 of a teaspoon and go from there.).
• Bring 5 quarts water and the other tablespoon of salt to a boil in a stockpot over high heat. While you wait for the water to boil, you can shred your chicken.
• Using 2 forks, shred the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces and set aside.
• Add the noodles to the boiling water and cook them according to the directions on the package (about 4 minutes for fresh and 10 minutes for dried pasta).
• Drain the noodles, return them to the pot, then rinse them again with cold running tap water until they are cool to the touch; drain them again.
• In a large bowl, toss the noodles with the sesame oil until evenly coated. Add the shredded chicken, scallions, carrot, and sauce; toss to combine. Divide among individual bowls, sprinkle each bowl with a portion of reserved sesame seeds, and cucumber decoration and serve.

SESAME NOODLES WITH CUCUMBERS AND SHREDDED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a food processor, mix sesame paste, oils, and vinegar. Add chile, garlic and herbs and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. In a large mixing bowl toss pasta, cucumbers and chicken with dressing. Check for seasoning and garnish with red bell peppers and basil/mint leaves.
• Pre-heat oven to 550 degrees. Rub chicken with oil, then salt and pepper. Place chicken, breast side up, in the oven and cook for about 25 minutes or until golden brown. May have to rotate the chicken for even coloring. When chicken is fully browned, turn down oven to 325 degrees. Cover with foil to prevent burning. Chicken will take another 45 to 55 minutes. Chicken is done when one can move the wing back and forth with great ease. Allow chicken to rest for 10 minutes before serving. When chicken is cooled, remove skin and hand-shred the meat. Broil the skin to crisp up then julienne for garnish.

COLD SESAME NOODLES WITH CUCUMBER

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil. Prepare a bowl of ice water.
• Cook the noodles in boiling water until al dente, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water and soak for 5 minutes, until well chilled. Drain again, return to the bowl, toss with the peanut oil, and set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame seeds, honey, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, and sriracha. Fold in the grated cucumber, half the scallion, and half the peanuts. Add the chilled pasta and toss to coat thoroughly. Transfer to a serving bowl, twirling the pasta into a nest shape. Top with the sliced cucumber, cilantro, and the remaining scallion and peanuts.