Sesame(ish) Noodles

Here’s a quick and easy cold sesame noodle recipe that can be made for a mid week spur of the moment picnic. Not only is it super simple, but it can be used as is for a light side item, or add in some extra protein (chicken, tofu, shrimp…) for something a little more substantial.

Cold Sesame(ish) noodles:

1 Tbsp tahini
2 Tbsp peanut butter (we used smooth, but you can use chunky)
1 Tbsp soy sauce
¼ cup vinegar (we used a mixture of rice, red wine and white vinegar)
½ Tbsp chili sauce (more or less depending on how spicy you like it)
2 Tbsp water
2 tsp sesame seeds
1 tsp ground ginger
splash of fish sauce (optional)

6 oz soba noodles
toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Mix together first 7 ingredients (tahini-ginger). The sauce should be thin enough where it will cover the noodles easily. If you find that it’s too thick, add in a little water.

Cook soba noodles according to package directions. Rinse under cold water to stop cooking process. Keep rinsing until the noodles are cool to the touch.

Mix noodles with sauce.

Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

Notes:


- If you don’t have soba noodles or the desire to go get soba noodles, you can use plain old spaghetti, we won’t tell!
- Although the fish sauce is optional, it does bring a certain amount of depth to the dish. Just make sure you only use a splash, too much fish sauce isn’t a good thing!