Cold Noodles With Sesame Sauce, Chicken And Cucumbers

I'd use tahini only as a last resort: it rather differs from the savory sesame paste used in East Asia (found in Taiwanese markets here), made from whole (white) rather than hulled sesame seeds, with more the consistency of creamy peanut butter. That difference may account for Brigitte's finding Bittman's version too greasy/heavy.

Also, I substitute a 'healthy' amount of sriracha for the hot oil/tabasco+sugar, since sugar already tops sriracha's ingredients list.

Superb dish for hot summer weather. Made as picnic fare for an outdoor concert (Buddy Guy and Jeff Beck; wonderful) and we got lots of envious looks from the folks around us. I used a couple more tablespoons of soy sauce than in the recipe to amp up the flavor. Definitely use ginger.

Sesame tahini is not the same thing as sesame paste. The difference is dramatic and the paste is darker and richer (I could be wrong but the paste has the shell or hull of the seed included when ground). It is a bit more expensive but worth it. One can find it in most asian stores. If you want the dish to be truly Sichuan like your favorite upper west side restaurant, chili garlic sauce should replace any idea of tabasco sauce.

Excellent. Great recipe for hot days. Add some shredded carrot to enliven the dish. Will do it again

Thin the sauce with the pasta water, the way Italians do when making, say, Spaghetti Carbonara.

Tons of sauce. Don't mix all ingredients together. Pour a bit on each serving. Otherwise it's like soup.
Used extra ginger which kicks up the taste. Lime too. Used 1/2 crunchy peanut butter, 1/2 tahini. BBQ'd 3 boneless, skinless thighs. Couldn't find fresh Chinese egg noodles. Fresh linguine was great. Cut back on the sugar. I'd add carrots and/or red pepper for color next time.

Perhaps the Best Cold Noodle Recipe Ever!

I tripled the vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger and everything else that was added to the sauce except the sesame paste. Really good. I also added white pepper because I love the subtle heat. I used lean pork instead of chicken because I am so tired of chicken! Overall an easy and filling dish and not greasy.

This is great for summer, change it up, don't forget the ginger, and it's great without meat as well. You will need to thin the sauce - so save a little of your pasta water, and when mixing together, just start with maybe 1/4 of the sauce and taste as you go.

I am thinking of making this with Soba Noodles because I have a lot of them. Any thoughts?

I read your first sentence and was surprised. But then saw the reference to French/Italian. Since this is Asian I'm no longer surprised.

Enjoyed this dish very much. Used Chicken broth, Garlic Chili paste for heat, and tossed some pea pods into the mix. Will definitely make again

Really tasty! I added a lot more of everything - including ginger - to the tahini paste to amp up the flavor, and put chopped cilantro on top of every dish. Easy and filling.

This was the worst recipe I have tried from the Times, where I like most of their recipes. I followed the recipe exactly. The result was heavy, greasy and awful. I do not recommend it to people who like French and Italian food.

The tahini that comes in an orange tin (leaving off brand names) is closer to sesame paste than the pale tahini in jars. Still not quite right, but much more flavor!