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Garlic Sesame Noodles recipe

  • Author: Sophia

Ingredients

For the Noodles:

    • Noodles: 1 pound (450g) of your preferred long noodles

        • Options: Spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, Chinese egg noodles, ramen noodles (discard seasoning packet), udon noodles, or even soba noodles. Gluten-free pasta works well too.

For the Irresistible Sauce:

    • Low-Sodium Soy Sauce (or Tamari for gluten-free): 1/2 cup (120ml)

        • The savory, umami backbone of the sauce. Low-sodium allows for better control over saltiness.

    • Toasted Sesame Oil: 1/4 cup (60ml)

        • This is crucial! Toasted sesame oil has a deep, nutty, aromatic flavor that regular sesame oil lacks. It’s a non-negotiable star ingredient.

    • Rice Vinegar (Unseasoned): 2 tablespoons

        • Adds a bright tanginess to balance the richness of the sauce.

    • Honey or Maple Syrup (or Brown Sugar): 1-2 tablespoons (adjust to taste)

        • Provides a touch of sweetness to round out the flavors. Maple syrup for a vegan option.

    • Fresh Garlic: 4-6 cloves, minced (about 1.5 – 2 tablespoons)

        • Use more or less depending on your love for garlic! Fresh is best for potent flavor.

    • Fresh Ginger: 1 tablespoon, grated or very finely minced

        • Adds a warm, zesty kick that complements the garlic beautifully.

    • Creamy Peanut Butter OR Tahini: 2 tablespoons (Optional, but highly recommended for creaminess and depth)

        • Peanut butter adds a classic nutty, savory element. Tahini (sesame seed paste) offers a more traditional, slightly bitter sesame depth. Almond butter can also work.

    • Sriracha or Chili Garlic Sauce (or Red Pepper Flakes): 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon (Optional, adjust to your preferred spice level)

        • For those who like a bit of heat.

    • Hot Water (from cooking noodles or freshly boiled): 2-4 tablespoons (or as needed to reach desired consistency)

        • Helps to emulsify the sauce and thin it to the perfect coating consistency.

Instructions

    1. Cook the Noodles:

        • Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.

        • Add your chosen noodles (1 pound) and cook according to package directions until al dente (tender but still with a slight bite). Do not overcook, as they will continue to absorb sauce.

        • Crucial Step: Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water. This water is liquid gold for making sauces silky and helping them cling to noodles.

        • Drain the noodles well and rinse briefly with cold water if you want to stop the cooking process immediately, especially if not saucing right away or if serving cold/room temperature. If saucing immediately while warm, a quick rinse isn’t always necessary.

    1. Prepare the Garlic Sesame Sauce:

        • While the noodles are cooking, prepare the sauce. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the low-sodium soy sauce (1/2 cup), toasted sesame oil (1/4 cup), rice vinegar (2 tbsp), honey/maple syrup (1-2 tbsp), minced fresh garlic (4-6 cloves), grated fresh ginger (1 tbsp), and optional creamy peanut butter or tahini (2 tbsp), and optional Sriracha/chili garlic sauce (1 tsp – 1 tbsp).

        • Whisk all the sauce ingredients together vigorously until well combined and smooth. If using peanut butter or tahini, it might be quite thick initially.

    1. Emulsify and Adjust Sauce Consistency:

        • Add 2 tablespoons of the reserved hot pasta water (or freshly boiled hot water) to the sauce mixture. Whisk again until the sauce becomes smooth, slightly creamy, and has a good coating consistency.

        • If the sauce still seems too thick, add more hot water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. It should be pourable but still thick enough to cling to the noodles.

        • Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed – more soy for saltiness, more honey for sweetness, more vinegar for tang, or more chili sauce for heat.

    1. Combine Noodles and Sauce:

        • Place the cooked and drained noodles in a large serving bowl.

        • Pour the prepared garlic sesame sauce over the noodles.

        • Toss everything together gently but thoroughly using tongs or two large spoons, ensuring every strand of noodle is well-coated with the delicious sauce.

    1. Garnish and Serve:

        • Sprinkle the sauced noodles generously with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

        • If using, add fresh chopped cilantro and/or crushed peanuts.

        • Serve immediately while warm, or allow to cool to room temperature. These noodles are also excellent served cold.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: one normal portion
  • Calories: 450-600 kcal

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Find it online: https://vintagecooks.com/garlic-sesame-noodles-recipe/