Cold Noodles with Peanut Sauce in bowl 2

Cold Noodles in Peanut Sauce is an extended family favorite. And by “extended family”, I mean all our cousins, second cousins, all the kids in the neighborhood I grew up with, and basically anyone who’s met my mother. Everyone just loves this dish. My mom has been making it for every barbecue as far back as I can remember, and for all the birthday parties that ever graced our backyard. I remember times when she had to keep on making more as the party was going because it kept getting devoured. But, it’s so easy that you can just whip it up in no time, while a screaming load of kids run around.

Aside from parties, there was always a container of peanut sauce in the fridge. It was ready for any time my brother or I got hungry and since it has a long shelf-life (several weeks), it’s that kind of life-saver you’ll want to keep around. Plus you can use it on other things (more recipes using peanut sauce to come).

My mom’s original version was probably made with Skippy peanut butter but since then I’ve switched over to natural peanut butter (to cut out extra preservatives when possible). It’s become widely available now and even big companies like Smuckers makes one. I asked my mom to come over and make it with my natural peanut butter to make sure that nothing was lost in the conversion. I wanted that same great peanut-y flavor with sesame and the sharp kick of fresh garlic.

Cold Noodles with Peanut Sauce on plate 4

Cold Noodles with Peanut Sauce

Peanut Sauce

  • 1/2 cup all natural creamy peanut butter, brought to room temperature
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 4 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 3 to 4 cloves minced garlic
  • 1/3 to 2/3 cup water

Noodles

  • spaghetti or thin spaghetti (cooked, drained, and cooled)

Garnish options:

  • thinly sliced cucumber
  • crushed peanuts
  • hot oil or sriracha

Instructions -

1. Stir together peanut butter, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, vinegar, and garlic in a medium sized bowl, or tupperware (for easy storage). Stir in water to desired consistency. Stir until smooth, which may take a little while. You can make this sauce several days before and just store in the fridge till you are using. Just don’t dress the noodles until ready to serve.

Peanut Sauce

2. Drizzle peanut sauce on noodles. Garnish with cucumber, crushed peanuts, and hot oil or sriracha if desired. You can serve in one giant family bowl or in seperate bowls/plates. Mix right before eating.

Cold Noodles with Peanut Sauce in bowl

For a more substantial dish, serve it with grilled shrimp, chicken, or tofu.

You may also enjoy reading Homemade Peanut Butter Cups.
posted by jessica at 09:05 AM Filed under Chinese, Recipes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.