Szechuan noodle salad in peanut sauce

6 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
tablespoonMinced gingerroot
1tablespoonMinced garlic
1tablespoonMinced green onion
6tablespoonsCreamy peanut butter
2tablespoonsDark soy sauce
¼cupRed wine vinegar
1tablespoonChinese chili paste
1poundsFettuccine; or other thin no
2tablespoonsOil
1cupJulienned carrots
1cupJulienned green onions
1teaspoonSugar
1tablespoonSesame oil
2tablespoonsVegetable oil
1tablespoonDry sherry
1teaspoonHot; dry mustard (chinese
½teaspoonSalt
½cupChicken stock
¼poundsHam; julienned
1cupBean sprouts
1cupJulienned cucumber
1cupJulienned red bell pepper

Directions

PEANUT SAUCE

NOODLES

*Note: The noodles and sauce must be at room temperature when tossed and served. If cold, the sauce will lose its creamy consistency.

To make peanut sauce, combine ginger, garlic, 1 tablespoon green onion, peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, chili paste, sugar, sesame and vegetable oils, sherry, dry mustard, salt and chicken stock.

Blend thoroughly. Cover and set aside. Do not refrigerate.

To make noodles, cook fettuccine until tender. While noodles are still warm, toss with oil until well coated. Chill. Place carrots in sieve and pour boiling water over them. Immediately pat dry with paper towels and chill. Wrap julienned green onions, ham, bean sprouts, cucumber and red pepper separately and chill until serving time. Bring noodles to room temperature before serving. At serving time, place noodles in center of large round bowl or platter. Arrange vegetables and ham attractively in separate mounds around edge. Blend peanut sauce again and pour over noodles, vegetables and ham. Toss.

Makes 6 to 8 servings Created by: Hugh Carpenter, Los Angeles