All the talking about kimchee the other day got me thinking about Korean Spiced Noodles... Great lunch dish!
SPICY COLD NOODLES WITH SESAME SEED PASTE
yield: 4 servings
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1/2 lb. fresh egg noodles
1 tablespoon sesame seed oil
1 cup mung bean sprouts
broccoli florets, cut quite small
SAUCE:
3 tablespoons sesame seed paste (I like to use 1/2 chunky peanut butter!)
2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon brewed tea (strong and black)
1/2 tablespoon Chinese red vinegar
1/2 tablespoon chili oil (more if you like 'hot!')
1/2 tablespoon sesame seed oil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon ginger root, minced
2-3 cloves garlic
2 scallions (white and green parts)
PREPARATION: In a 6 quart saucepan, bring 4 quarts of water to a
rapid boil. Add 1 tablespoon peanut oil. Boil noodles for 3 to 5
minutes, stirring occasionally with chopsticks. Drain noodles in
a colander and rinse with cold water. Cut noodles in 6 inch
pieces. Mix the noodles with 1 tablespoon sesame seed oil and
set aside. Rinse the bean sprouts, then drain and dry well. In a
bowl, mix the sesame seed paste, soy sauce, and tea until well
blended. Add the red vinegar, chili oil, sesame seed oil and
sugar. Mince the ginger and garlic. Chop scallions. Add ginger,
garlic and scallions to previously mixed sauce ingredients;
combine well. When ready to serve, mix the bean sprouts, broccoli, and the
noodles with 2 wooden spoons. Stir the sauce again and pour it
over the noodles, tossing until the noodles and bean sprouts are
well coated. Serve immediately.
TIMING: All the preparations can be made early in the day or the
day before.
Do not mix the noodles, bean sprouts, and sauce until
immediately before serving.
SUBSTITUTIONS: For the sesame seed paste you can substitute
peanut butter, which is also flavorful.
For the fresh egg noodles you can substitute dried egg noodles
or any type of fresh pasta.
TIPS: If you do not want the spiciness, omit the 1/2 tablespoon
chili oil and increase the sesame seed oil in the sauce to 1
tablespoon.
One cup of leftover (cooked) shredded meat can be added along
with the bean sprouts, such as chicken, duck or pork.
Chili oil is available at all Chinese grocery stores. It is a
clear red oil (red from the chili peppers, which are removed),
and will keep in the refrigerator for one year.
Sesame seed paste is also available in Chinese grocery stores.
It is made from roasted sesame seeds and sesame seed oil. It
will keep in the refrigerator for one year.
The easiest way to cut noodles is to place them on a flat
surface, after you have cooked, drained and rinsed them, and cut
through them in 2 or 3 places with a cleaver. OC people can use scissors and a ruler.
Stitchawl