Cold Sesame Noodle

Cold Sesame Noodles is an ideal dish for summers, and can be eaten as the main course or as a side dish. It is a good option that may replace hot foods in the summer months and can bring about an overall feeling of relief from heat. Cooling ingredients are therefore used to garnish the dish such as cucumber and scallions, to further enhance the cooling nature of this dish. As the dish is served cold, it is named cold sesame noodle.  

Ingredients

Soy sauce

Brown sugar

Rice vinegar

Hot pepper flakes

Creamy peanut butter

Toasted sesame oil

Grated gingerroot

Chicken broth

Linguine

Scallion

Cucumber

Sesame Seeds

Preparation

In a medium sized saucepan placed over medium heat, the sesame oil, peanut butter, gingerroot, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hot pepper flakes and the chicken broth are stirred. This should be simmered for some time until the mixture thickens to a smooth sauce. In the mean time the linguine is cooked in salted water to which some oil is added. The pasta is to be cooked until it is soft but firm. Once the pasta is cooked it should be drained, rinsed with cold water and kept aside. At the time of serving, in a bowl, the pasta should be placed and then the sauce prepared should be poured over it. The dish is then garnished with cucumbers, scallions and sesame seeds. As the name suggests, this is a cold noodle and hence should be served cold or at room temperature.

Nutrition Value

Each serving size is approximately 432 gms and contains 682.5 calories. It also contains 21.5 gms of total fat of which 4.2 gms is saturated fat. It has no cholesterol and 1004.3 mg sodium and 25 gms protein. It also contains 99.2 gms of total carbohydrate, 5.7 gms of dietary fibre and 13 gms of sugar.

Health Value

Sesame – It is available in the form of seeds as well as oil and has many healthy properties which contribute to a balanced diet. They are a source of linolenic acid, omega 6 fatty acids which are important for the cell membranes. It also contains dietary fibre which helps to maintain healthy weight. It is also a rich source of calcium, phosphorus that support bone health and vitamin E which is known to reduce the risk of certain cancers.

Pasta – It is a good source of carbohydrates with very low fat, and also contains potassium, folic acid and vitamin A. Whole wheat pastas would of course make for healthier options than refined flour ones. This would also enhance the B Vitamin and fibre content. 

Nutritional Enhancement

• Snow peas are not only high in Vitamin A, C and beta-carotene but also exhibit anti-bacterial properties. They are crisp and add a characteristic crunch to the cold noodle dish.  Vitamin B6, K that support bone health and Folates which improve cardiac performance are also available from this vegetable.  
• Cabbage is high in Vitamins A, C, K and contains indole-3 carbinol that exhibits anti-cancer properties apart from being packed with antioxidant phyto nutrients like carotenes, lutein, xeaxanthin and isothocyanates that protect from different cancers. Being high in both soluble and insoluble fibres, it has a cholesterol and weight lowering impact while ensuring smooth bowel  functions. Also it is a good source of minerals like calcium, potassium, phosporous, manganese, iron and magnesium.
• Bean Sprouts are a good source of energy and fibre and the process of sprouting is known to increase the bioavailability of nutrients like Vitamins C, E, B complex. Mineral increments of magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium as well  as proteins and enzymes makes this a healthful addition.