Ginger Peanut Somen Noodles Recipes

JAPANESE COLD SOMEN NOODLES

Steps:

• [Optional] Traditional Japanese restaurants tie up the noodles to enhance the appearance of the somen and this is how you do it. Tie the edge of somen noodles with cooking twine. This way noodles will stay in one direction while cooking. I normally skip this step for home use.
• In a large pot, bring water to a boil. When boiling, remove the wrapper.
• Add the somen noodles in the boiling water (do not add salt!). Stir noodles with chopsticks so they don't stick to each other. Cook according to the package instructions. If necessary, add a little bit of cold water in the pot to prevent overflowing.
• Drain somen in a colander and wash the noodles with hands under running water.
• Once the noodles are cold, find the knotted parts of somen noodles and pick them up. Cut off the edge and discard. Hold each bundle gently and arrange it nicely on a serving plate. Somen can be served with ice to keep cool.
• Cut the scallion finely and grate the ginger. Put them in small dishes.
• Pour mentsuyu in individual dipping sauce bowls and add iced water to dilute. I recommend making homemade mentsuyu but if you're too busy, get a bottle of mentsuyu like this. See the instructions. You can check the ratio of mentsuyu to water on this page. This brand recommends 1:3.
• Put a small portion of scallion and ginger in the dipping sauce and dip the somen noodles to enjoy! To make it more filling, you can bulk up the noodles by tossing in other ingredients such as shredded egg crepes (see How to Make Kinshi Tamago), julienned cucumbers, boiled okra, and ham.

GINGER-PEANUT SOMEN NOODLES

Steps:

• Make dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together ginger, lime zest, lime juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Whisking constantly, add oil in a steady stream until mixture is emulsified; set aside.
• Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add noodles, and cook until al dente according to package instructions, about 6 minutes. Drain in a colander, and transfer noodles to a serving bowl.
• Add dressing, scallions, and peanuts to noodles; toss to combine. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled, and garnish with additional scallions and peanuts.

SPICY PEANUT NOODLES

Steps:

• Cook the noodles according to the package instructions.
• Meanwhile, combine the peanut butter, chili crisp, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar and ginger in a large bowl and whisk to combine. (The sauce might look curdled, but keep whisking until smooth.)
• Drain the noodles, add them to the bowl with the sauce and toss until the noodles are nicely coated. Garnish with chopped scallions and peanuts. Add additional chili crisp if you prefer more spice.

PEANUT AND GINGER SAUCE FOR NOODLES

Steps:

• Drop the peanuts into hot oil and cook until golden brown. Take care not to overcook. They will continue to cook once they are removed from the heat. Drain the nuts and save the oil, if desired, for another use.
• Put the peanuts in container of a food processor or electric blender and blend to a coarse paste. Add tea and continue to blend. Add ginger, garlic and chili peppers and blend.
• Add salt, sugar, soy sauce, lemon juice, sesame oil and chili oil. Blend to a smooth consistency.
• Scrape the sauce into a serving dish and garnish with fresh coriander sprigs. Serve with hot or cold cooked noodles, the sauce to be added according to individual taste.