Sesame Noodles

1. Prep

Begin by bringing a large pot of water to a rolling boil. While waiting for the water to boil, julienne the cucumber and slice the scallion greens. Roughly chop the toasted peanuts and set them aside for garnish. Microplane the ginger and garlic and keep them ready.

2. Cook Noodles

Add the lo mein noodles to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Look for the noodles to be tender with a slight bite. Once cooked, drain the noodles in a colander, rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process, and drain well again.

3. Caramelize Paste

In a separate bowl, mix together the Chinese sesame paste, smooth unsweetened peanut butter, and sugar. This blend of ingredients will create a rich base for your sauce. The sugar will balance the savory notes of the sesame and peanut butter.

4. Toast Spices

In the same bowl, add the microplaned ginger and garlic to the paste mixture. Toasting these spices in the sauce will mellow their sharpness and bring out their aromatic qualities.

5. Add Cooking Liquid

To the bowl with your paste and spices, whisk in the sesame oil and Chinese rice vinegar until the sauce is smooth. This process will thin out the paste, creating a silky sauce that will coat the noodles evenly.

6. Finishing Touches

Toss the well-drained noodles with the sauce until every strand is evenly coated. The sauce should cling to the noodles, providing a glossy finish.

7. Garnish

Plate the dressed noodles and garnish with the julienned cucumber, sliced scallion greens, and toasted peanuts. These fresh elements will add texture and a refreshing crunch that complements the richness of the sesame sauce.