Recipe: Cold Noodles with Sesame Sauce, Chicken and Cucumbers (Mark Bittman)

COLD NOODLES WITH SESAME SAUCE,
CHICKEN AND CUCUMBERS

"It doesn't surprise me how often people order cold noodles with sesame sauce at Chinese restaurants. What is surprising is how few people make the dish at home. It is incredibly easy to prepare, with common ingredients, and you can serve it as a main course or appetizer. You don't even need sesame sauce. Peanut butter is an acceptable substitute, as long as you use the kind made with just peanuts and salt."

1 to 2 cups shredded cooked chicken or about 8 ounces boneless chicken breast
1 medium or 2 small cucumbers
12 ounces long pasta like linguine, or 16 ounces fresh Chinese egg noodles
FOR THE SESAME SAUCE:
2 tablespoons dark sesame oil
1/2 cup sesame paste (tahini) or peanut butter
2 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons soy sauce, or to taste
1 teaspoon minced ginger, optional
1 tablespoon rice or wine vinegar
Hot sesame oil or Tabasco sauce to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more
At least 1/2 cup minced scallions (for garnish)

Set a large pot of water to boil and salt it. If your chicken is uncooked, poach it in water as it comes to a boil; it will cook in about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, peel cucumbers, cut them in half, and, using a spoon, scoop out seeds. Cut cucumber into shreds and set aside.

When water comes to a boil, cook pasta until tender but not mushy. (If chicken is not done, you can still add pasta; remove chicken when it is done.)

While pasta is cooking, whisk together sesame oil and tahini, sugar, soy sauce, ginger, vinegar, hot sesame oil and black pepper in a large bowl. Thin sauce with hot water, so that it is about the consistency of heavy cream; you will need 1/4 to 1/2 cup. Stir in cucumber.

When pasta is done, drain it and run pasta (and chicken, if necessary) under cold water. Drain. Shred chicken (the easiest way to do this is with your fingers).

TO SERVE:
Toss noodles and chicken with sauce and cucumbers. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary (the dish may need salt), then garnish and serve.

Makes 4 servings
Source: Mark Bittman, New York Times, 2002