Sesame Noodles

 

This was a really easy noodle to throw together! Just create the sauce, boil the noodles and combine! I added a little more sugar to my noodles.

 Sesame Noodles (foodandwine.com)

Ingredients

3 medium carrots

1/4 cup neutral cooking oil (such as grapeseed oil or peanut oil)

1/4 cup zhi ma jiang (Chinese toasted sesame paste) or tahini (used Chinese toasted sesame paste)

1/4 cup soy sauce

3 tablespoons Chinese black vinegar or balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (from a 2-inch piece)

2 teaspoons grated garlic (from 4 medium garlic cloves)

2 teaspoons honey

5 tablespoons spicy chile crisp, divided (used only 3 tablespoons)

1 to 2 tablespoons water, if needed

1 pound fresh lo mein noodles or uncooked spaghetti or fettuccine (we used He Fong sliced squiggly noodles: he fong sliced noodles - Search Images (bing.com))

3 cups packed fresh baby spinach (about 3 1/2 ounces) (did not use)

3 medium scallions, thinly sliced on an angle (about 1/2 cup)

Toasted sesame seeds

 

Directions

Working with 1 carrot at a time, cut carrots crosswise into 2- to 3-inch pieces. Cut off a thin slice lengthwise from each carrot piece to create a flat edge. Lay the carrot flat on a cutting board. Cut lengthwise into thin (about 1/8-inch-thick) planks. Stack a few of the planks together, and slice them lengthwise into thin (about 1/8-inch-thick) strips.

 

Whisk together the cooking oil, sesame paste, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, honey, and 3 tablespoons of the spicy chile crisp in a large bowl. The sauce should be thin and pourable; whisk in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed to thin. Set aside.

 

Cook the noodles according to package directions, adding carrots and spinach during the final 30 seconds of cooking time. Drain well, and add to sauce in the bowl; toss to coat. (Dressed noodles can be served warm, chilled, or at room temperature.)

 

To serve, drizzle noodle mixture with remaining 2 tablespoons chile crisp (did not add additional chile crisp). Sprinkle with scallions, and garnish with sesame seeds.