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Dou Dou (豆豆)

Lemon Sesame Cold Noodles — 檸檬麻醬冷麵

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Noodles & Rice
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients
  

For the Noodle Bowl 冷麵配料
  • 200g Cooked noodles 面條 wheat, soba, or rice
  • 1 Cucumber 黄瓜 julienned
  • 1 Carrot 胡蕉蔻 julienned
  • 1 handful Mung bean sprouts 綠豆芽 blanched
  • 150g Firm tofu 老豆腐 pan-seared
  • a few leaves Lettuce 生菜 shredded
  • 3–4 leaves Red cabbage 紫甘藍 shredded
  • 2 tbsp Crushed peanuts 花生碎 garnish
Lemon-Sesame Sauce 檸檬麻醬汁
  • 1 tbsp Tahini 芝麻醬
  • 1 tsp Peanut butter 花生醬
  • 1 tbsp Lemon juice 檸檬汁 fresh
  • 1 tsp Rice vinegar 米醋
  • 1 tbsp Light soy sauce 生抽
  • 3 tsp Brown sugar 赤砂糖
  • 1 tbsp Chili oil 油泼辣子 adjust to taste
  • ½ tsp Sichuan pepper oil 花椒油
  • 1 tsp Sesame oil 香油
  • ½ tsp Sea salt 海鹽

Method
 

  1. Cook noodles just until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and set a springy bite. Toss with a few drops of sesame oil to prevent sticking, then chill in the fridge.
  2. Julienne cucumber, carrot, and red cabbage into fine matchsticks. Blanch the mung bean sprouts for about 30 seconds, then cool and drain well. Pan-sear slabs of firm tofu in a little oil until golden and crisp on both sides, then slice.
  3. Whisk tahini, peanut butter, lemon juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Stir in chili oil, Sichuan pepper oil, sesame oil, and sea salt. If too thick, loosen with a splash of warm water or extra lemon juice until it pours smoothly.
  4. Divide chilled noodles between bowls and pile on vegetables, sprouts, and golden tofu. Drizzle generously with sauce and toss. Finish with chopped cilantro, crushed peanuts, and a final squeeze of lemon.

Notes

Store leftover sauce in an airtight jar for up to 3 days—it also makes a great dipping sauce.