Dan Dan Noodles
This cold noodle salad has been served, over the years, in some of my favorite Chinese & Thai reastaurants.
It's an especially nice summer dish ; nearly acomplete meal in one & makes a complete meal w/ the optonal adition of egg rolls, or other appetizers from your local Chinese restaurant ; or check out your local grocery store: ours sells Chinese style ROAST PPORK & terryaki chicken OR beef, already cooked (just heat & eat).
Serve on lettuce(shreds) lined plates or add a fresh Asian salad:
For salad,Layer:
lettuce, sliced green or chopped sweet onion ; drained pineapple chunks, Almond slices or slivers or chopped peanuts & canned crispy Chinese noodles scattered over the top.I like a ginger soy(bottled ) dressing but your favorite dressing might be fine too.
Iced OR hot tea; beer or tropical punch & a fresh fruit plate/cup(s) complete a tastey summertime meal .
INGREDIENTS:
serves 4-6
8 oz linguini or spaghetti.
1/3C peanut butter(your choice of smooth or chunky;but super chunky gives the best crunch & texture (I use reduced fat PB & add chopped peanuts
1/2C hot water(reserved from draining cooked pasta
1/2-1tsp soy sauce(to taste)
small pinch up to 1/4tsp "crushed" hot pepper flakes; to taste.Start w/ less & increase, to taste, each time you make this .Youl;; need less flakes w/ HOT salsa)
Optional: 1/4C mild to HOT salsa (for Thai style noodle salad).Use your personal favorite type of salsa.
Optional: 2C cooked chicken meat, cooled & shredded
1 Euro cuke: washed & sliced ; peel if you must(I do not) into very thin circles. I use a 1mm slicing disc in my food processor
DIRECTIONS:
Best to start THE DAY BEFORE you plan to serve this salad, to give the salad time to firm up
Line a Qt size (makes unmolding easier) mixing bowl w/ plastic wrap& set lined bowl aside.
Cook pasta choice , al dente& drain; reserve pasta in strainer/collander.Reserve 1/2C boiling liquid for use in making PB sauce
In wok or 10" skilet; put HOT water; PB, soy sauce & salsa ( if using)
Heatover med-low stirring till comes to a boil& PB disolves.
Adjust seasoning, to taste w/ soy sauce, pepper flakes & salsa
Place drained pasta into sauce& stir/toss till all pasta is covered w/ sauce.
Add shredded chicken, if using & toss in to mix evenly.
Let rest 10-20 minutes to cool [a little bit] & transfer pasta(w/sauce& chicken) into lined bowl.
Tap bowl down on counter top or table to pack contents together firmly[ makes unmolding easier]
Cover & refrigerate at least6-8 5 hours (overnight ).
To serve: Line a serving plate w/ shredded lettuce & invert bowl onto plate, over lettuce.
Remove bowl& plastic wrap.
Arrange cucumber slices around mounded pasta dome & serve or use plastic wrap to cover & refrigerate salad while you prepare other dishes.
Serve; using tongs or two forks w/ other dishes & beverage choice(s)
Cover & refrigerate any leftovers for another day(lasts several days if lept well chilled )