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–+ servings

Cold Sesame Noodles with Celery Salad Dinner Recipe

This refreshing dinner recipe combines cold sesame noodles with a crisp and tangy celery salad, offering a perfect balance of creamy richness and crunchy freshness.
It's a quick and flavorful dish, ideal for a light yet satisfying dinner that comes together in just 15 minutes.
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Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Asian-Inspired
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Skillet for toasting spices

Ingredients
  

For the Celery Salad:

  • 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns or regular peppercorns coarsely crushed
  • 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 4 celery stalks thinly sliced (about 1 ½ cups)
  • 3 tbsp thinly sliced scallions white and green parts
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 ½ tsp rice vinegar
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt

For the Noodles:

  • 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp Chinese sesame paste see Note for substitution
  • 1 tbsp smooth or chunky peanut butter
  • 2 tsp dark brown sugar
  • 2 tsp chile garlic paste
  • 2 garlic cloves grated or minced
  • 1 1-inch piece fresh ginger peeled and finely grated
  • 1 lb Chinese egg noodles or spaghetti cooked according to package instructions
  • Sesame seeds as needed (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Celery Salad:
    Toast the peppercorns in a dry skillet over medium heat until they become aromatic. Mix them with the sesame oil and set aside.
    In a large mixing bowl, combine the celery, scallions, cilantro, rice vinegar, and salt. Drizzle in the peppercorn sesame oil and toss everything together until well coated.
  • Make the Noodle Sauce:
    In another large bowl, whisk together the toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame paste, peanut butter, brown sugar, chile garlic paste, grated garlic, and grated ginger. Stir until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
  • Combine the Noodles:
    Add the cooked and drained noodles to the sauce. Toss thoroughly to ensure the noodles are evenly coated in the flavorful dressing. Sprinkle with sesame seeds as desired.
  • Assemble and Serve:
    Arrange the noodles on serving plates and top each portion with a generous amount of the celery salad. Serve the dish cold for the best texture and flavor balance.

Notes

Substitution for Chinese Sesame Paste: Tahini can be used as an alternative. If substituting, increase the sesame oil in the noodle dressing to 2 ½ tablespoons for added flavor.
Serving Suggestion: This dish pairs well with grilled meat or can stand alone as a light vegetarian dinner.
Storage Tip: Keep the noodles and salad separate in the refrigerator if making ahead, combining just before serving.
Keyword Asian-inspired dinner ideas, Cold sesame noodles dinner, dinner recipe, Easy dinner recipe, Quick noodle salad, Vegetarian dinner options
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