How To Prepare Cold Noodle Salad With Spicy Peanut Sauce

 Cold Noodle Salad With Spicy Peanut Sauce

Time    20 minutes 

Japanese buckwheat noodles known as soba are perfect for salads since they taste their best when served cold. Here, the use of crunchy vegetables adds a lot of crisp, fresh texture. Any raw veggies you have on hand can be used as a substitute, including cabbage, carrots, fennel, asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower. If you don't want to use peanut butter, you can substitute any other nut or seed butter, such as cashew, almond, sunflower, or even tahini. Both the soba and the peanut sauce can be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator for an entire night, but for the best texture and consistency, wait to combine them until just before serving. Add a tablespoon or two of water to the peanut sauce because it thickens as it sits.To loosen it up if necessary. 

INGREDIENTS

Yield:

4 servings

FOR THE SALAD

Kosher salt

10ounces soba noodles

1medium zucchini or cucumber (about 6 ounces)

5radishes (about 4 ounces)

1bell pepper (any color)

1tablespoon sesame oil

½cup roasted salted peanuts (about 2 ounces), roughly chopped

2scallions, trimmed and finely chopped

Handful of cilantro leaves

1lime, cut into wedges for serving

FOR THE SPICY PEANUT SAUCE

½cup smooth peanut butter (not natural)

¼cup soy sauce

2tablespoons maple syrup

2tablespoons lime juice (from 1 lime)

1tablespoon sesame oil

2teaspoons chile oil or hot sauce, plus more to taste

1garlic clove, grated

PREPARATION

Step 1

Bring a pot of salted water to the boil. Add the soba, stir to prevent sticking, and cook according to package instructions until just tender. Rinse under cold water until the noodles are completely cold.

Step 2

Meanwhile, make the sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, lime juice, sesame oil, chile oil or hot sauce, and garlic. Add ¼ to ½ cup water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and whisk until the sauce is a pourable consistency. Taste and add more chile oil or hot sauce as desired; set aside.

Step 3

Cut the zucchini or cucumber and radishes into ⅛-inch thick slices, then cut into thin matchsticks. Slice the peppers into ⅛-inch pieces. Place them all in a large bowl.

Step 4

Loosen the soba noodles by running them under some water, then allow to drain again. Add them to the vegetables, add the remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil and toss to combine.

Step 5

When you are ready to serve, drizzle with spicy peanut sauce and top with peanuts, scallions and cilantro. Serve immediately, with lime wedges alongside.