Long Life Noodles

Photo: Long Life Noodles
Celebrate New Year’s in January and February (Chinese New Year) with this traditional Chinese New Year lucky dish. Long noodles symbolize long life so you can’t break the noodle before it’s all in your mouth!
Yield
4-6 Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 (8-ounce) package udon or Chinese wheat noodles
  • ⅓ cup peanut butter
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon mirin
  • 1 teaspoon dried ginger
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil + 1 Tablespoon
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 cup chopped cabbage
  • 1 cup carrot ribbons
  • ½ cup chopped bell pepper
  • 2 green onion stalks, thinly sliced
  • 1 cucumber, unpeeled, de-seeded and diced
Instructions
  1. Cook noodles according to package directions. Rinse thoroughly. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, mirin, ginger, garlic, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, red pepper and water until blended.
  3. Add peanut mixture to noodles and toss to combine.
  4. Heat 1 Tablespoon sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cabbage, carrots and bell pepper. Sauté until softened, about 2 minutes.
  5. Transfer noodles to a serving platter. Top with cooked vegetables. Garnish with green onions and cucumbers. Slurp noodles whole for a long life of health! Enjoy!