Cold Sesame Noodles With Chicken and Cucumber
(from saymyname’s recipe box)
Source: Cook's Illustrated
Serves 6 peopleCategories: Asian, Chicken, Main Dish
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh Chinese egg noodles
- salt
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 large bone-in skin-on chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 lb.)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh gingerroot
- 1/2 cup smooth natural-style peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- # 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (chili paste or Tabasco)
- 1/2 cup hot water (or more)
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/4 inch dice
- 4 scallions, white and light green parts finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
Directions
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Bring 6 quarts water to a boil in a big pot; add in noodles and 1 tablespoon salt; cook until the noodles are just tender, about 3-4 minutes.
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Drain thoroughly and toss with the sesame oil; refrigerate until ready to use, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.
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Adjust oven rack to the middle of oven; preheat oven to 400°.
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Place chicken breasts on a small, foil-lined jelly-roll pan; brush with vegetable oil and sprinkle generously with salt.
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Roast about 35-40 minutes or until meat thermometer reads 160°; cool to room temperature, remove skin, and shred meat into bite-size pieces.
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Add ginger, peanut butter, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, and hot sauce in the bowl of a food processor; process until smooth.
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With the motor running, add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce is the consistency of heavy cream.
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Scrape the sauce into a bowl; can be covered and set aside for several hours.
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When ready to serve, toss the noodles with the chicken, cucumber, peanut sauce, and scallions.
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Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.