Cold Sesame Noodles

Posted by Margalit

Another cold salad, this is a big crowd pleaser. There are many different kinds of sesame noodle salads out there, but this one is rather special with the addition of bacon. Note: this can be made vegetarian by leaving out the meat.

Serves 2-3 on its own or 4-6 as a side dish

INGREDIENTS

2oz lean back bacon (hard to find here so I use Chinese-style roast pork - I roast up a big hunk every now and again and freeze it in smaller portions for throwing into things like this, stir-fries, etc.)
1 Tbl peanut (or other light) oil
1/2 inch/1cm piece of fresh ginger, finely chopped (no need to peel)
1 clove of garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
4oz/100g fresh bean sprouts
2 tsp Mirin or sherry (or other light white cooking wine)
7 inch/18cm cucumber, diced (no need to peel or seed unless it's one of those big waxy, seedy ones. If it's au naturel just dice that sucker up)
8oz/225g dried egg noodles (skinny ones like soba noodles, i.e. the ones that look like spaghetti)
2 spring onions (scallions), very thinly sliced
3 Tbl sesame oil
1 1/2 Tbl light soy sauce
plenty of freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS

Grill or broil the bacon until the edges crisp up, then cut it up into very small pieces.
Heat the peanut oil in a wok (or deep frying pan if you don't have a wok) until very hot, then add the ginger, garlic and bean sprouts.
Stir-fry for 30 seconds, splash in the wine and toss 30 seconds longer.
Scoop into a small bowl and leave to cool.
If you've got a big seedy waxed cucumber: cut it in half lengthwise, scoop out and discard the seedy center and finely dice the flesh. Set aside. (Thankfully, they sell the little ones here, no need for all this nonsense. I want wax on my candles, not on my food!)
Boil the noodles until al dente or as directed on the package, separating the strands with a wooden spoon, then rinse them under cold water and drain thoroughly.
Combine all the ingredients in a serving bowl, mixing very thoroughly.

May be served straight away or refrigerated up to 6 hours.

TAGS: Cold Salad, Cold Sesame Noodles, Noodles, Sesame Noodles
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