Sesame Peanut Noodles

I made this for lunch yesterday. It’s worthy of sharing. I found this recipe card at the health food store. The best sesame noodles I have ever had! It has a very nutty and creamy taste, yet refreshing. Great topped with leftover roasted chicken, too.

Sesame Peanut Noodles

1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
1/3 cup toasted walnuts or cashews
1/3 soy sauce
1 Tbs. rice wine vinegar
1 Tbs. mirin*
2 medium garlic cloves
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 cucumber, peeled
1-pound spaghetti or soba* noodles
1/4 fresh cilantro
3 scallions (onions-the long skinny ones), green part only, sliced

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Mean while, toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they turn golden brown, about 5 minutes. Repeat for the walnuts or cashews.In a food processor, combine the peanut butter, sesame oil, toasted nuts, soy sauce, vinegar, mirin, garlic and red pepper flakes and process to a puree. Stir in half the toasted sesame seeds.Dice the cucumber. When water boils, cook noodles until tender. Drain well, then add peanut butter mixture, cilantro and scallions, and remaining sesame seeds on top, as well as optional chicken. Serves 6.

*Mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine used especially in cooking. I doubled my rice wine vinegar portion to make up for the mirin, which I did not have on hand. Tasted just great to me!

*Soba noodles are inexpensive and delicious. They taste no different than spaghetti, yet are more nutritious! I lucked out and found these at BigLots! for $1.50.