Cold Noodle Salads for Summer

We are still in the thick of it, kiddies. Me and my significant other were in cool, clear Vermont. But now we’re back in the city, the Apple, or as it has been referred to as of late, the Baked Apple. It’s been a hot, cruel summer. The only thing I look forward to is the free outdoor concerts in Central Park where you can have a good outdoor picnic while sipping a light wine. One of my favorite picnic dishes (and summer food) are cold noodle salads. They are easy to prepare, and delicious. Add some cold chicken, fruit, cheese, and good bottle of bubbly, and you’re set.

Almost any kind of pasta can be used for a cold noodle salad. My favorites, however, are oriental noodles. By that, I mean Japanese udon noodles, buckwheat noodles (soba), or fresh Chinese egg noodles. Below are given two recipes. One using soba noodles, and the other, Chinese noodles. If you don’t access to these, then any pasta noodles will do (linguini, angel hair, spaghetti, bucatini, perciatelli, etc.). The first recipe calls for hot sesame oil which can be found in any Asian or Oriental store.

#1: COLD NOODLES IN SESAME SAUCE

1 pound fresh, thin Chinese egg noodles
4 quarts water
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon hot sesame oil (if you really like your noodles very hot, then you can make it 1 teaspoon or more)
1 tablespoons regular sesame oil
1 tablespoon cider vinegar or white vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1/2 cup toasted sesame seeds
6 scallions, cut into ringlets

1. Bring salted water to a boil, add noodles and cook for just 2 or 3 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
2. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over noodles, tossing until well blended. Cool and chill, or serve at room temperature.
Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

#2: COLD JAPANESE NOODLES

1 pound Japanese noodles (udon or soba)
4 quarts water
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar or white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red peppers (pepe rosso)
6 scallions, cut into ringlets
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1. Bring salted water to a boil and cook noodles about 4-5 minutes or until desired tenderness. Drain and rinse under cold running water.
2. In the same pot, heat together the sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, and red peppers. Add the noodles, and toss well until blended. Add the cilantro, cool and chill, or serve at room temperature.
Yield: 4 to 6 servings.