Sesame Noodle Vegetable Toss Food

VEGETABLE NOODLE SALAD WITH SESAME VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil, and season generously with salt.
• In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, ginger and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and mix well.
• Once the water boils, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 3/4 cup pasta cooking water, then drain. Transfer pasta to a large bowl. Add half the dressing and 1/4 cup pasta water, season with salt and pepper and toss to evenly coat.
• Meanwhile, in a large deep-sided saucepan, heat safflower oil over medium. Add onion and bell peppers, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until deep golden and tender, about 10 minutes. Add snap peas and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, 1/4 cup pasta water and the remaining dressing. Stir to deglaze the pan and lift the browned bits on the bottom of the skillet, then add vegetable mixture (with sauce) and scallions to pasta and toss until well combined (add more pasta water if thinner sauce is desired). Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve warm or at room temperature. Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds, if using.

SESAME-NOODLE VEGETABLE TOSS

Steps:

• Cook noodles according to package, drain, and rinse with cold water.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine all dressing ingredients, and blend well.
• In large bowl, combine all salad ingredients, and mix well.
• Add cooked noodles to salad; mix gently.
• Pour dressing over salad, and toss to coat.

TOFU-VEGETABLE NOODLE TOSS

Steps:

• Put a large pot of water on to boil. Add the vegetables to the boiling water and cook for about 2 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the water with a strainer and place them in a large bowl. Add the tofu and mix well.
• Bring the water back to a boil. Add the soba noodles and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until tender.
• For the sauce place all the sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until thickened and clear. Remove from the heat and pour over the tofu and vegetables, mixing well.
• Remove soba noodles from water and place in a large bowl. Toss with the 1 tablespoon soy sauce to separate the noodles. Pour the vegetable mixture over the noodles and toss well to mix. Serve warm or at room temperature, with Sriracha hot sauce as a condiment, if desired, for more heat.

COLD SESAME NOODLES WITH CRUNCHY VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Prepare the vegetables: trim, seed, peel as necessary and cut into bite-size pieces. Reserve in a container until ready to use.
• Cook the noodles in the boiling water until tender but not mushy. When they're done, rinse in cold water, then toss with a little sesame oil. Store in one or more containers.
• Whisk together the sesame oil and tahini, sugar, soy, ginger, vinegar, hot oil and pepper in a large bowl. Thin the sauce with hot water until it's about the consistency of heavy cream; you will need 1/4 to 1/2 cup per serving; store as desired.
• When you're ready to eat, toss a portion of the noodles and a portion of the vegetables; top with sauce and stir to coat.