Cold Sesame Peanut Noodles
Pardon the hasty photo – it was taken as the boys were in the car, waiting for me to go to Banff.
About forty seconds after this shot was taken, I poured it into a recycled plastic container with no structural integrity, pouring the peanut sauce down my leg and all over the lemon-blueberry tarts I was also packing to take along. Insert expletives. No photos please.
I cleaned up and made it to Banff, and am now all stretched out on clean, dog hair-free sheets and perfect pillows while the boys are at the pool working up an appetite. I have such a soft spot for this place, partly because we grew up coming here on ski weekends, and partly because it’s a castle in the mountains.
It occurred to me that this weekend, half the Moms from Calgary and surrounding areas may be there – not just to stay, but for their famous Sunday brunch or high tea. It further occurred to me that Mothers’ Day is the busiest day of the year for most restaurants, and those people who forgot to reserve (or have multiple mothers to celebrate) may overflow into the night before. Which is to say the restaurants in Banff on this beautiful Saturday evening may be a little full. And so I made sesame peanut noodles to bring along and stash in the hotel room fridge.
It’s also a great fridge cleaner, if you like me have half a red pepper, a roasted chicken breast and the stumpy end of a cucumber in your fridge. You could toss in broccoli or pea pods, or shrimp or tofu. You could throw in the entire contents of your fridge, chopped into bite-sized pieces, and call it cathartic. Quantities matter not at all, as is the case with most salads.
Cold sesame noodles travel well. They’re tasty cold, make kids and grown-ups happy, and anywhere you find yourself with a Tupperware full of them you have yourself a picnic.
Happy Mothers’ Day! To all moms, those who have (or had) moms, and those who mother others.
Cold Sesame Peanut Noodles
AuthorJulieBring a large pot of water to a boil, add the noodles and cook according to the package directions - they should only take about 5 minutes. As they cook, chop your veg, and throw any green ones (asparagus, broccoli) into the pot with the noodles for the last minute or two, which will brighten them up and tenderize them a bit.
Drain the noodles (along with any veg you added) in a colander, then rinse with cold water to stop them from cooking. Drain well and put in a large bowl. Add any other veggies and meat you want to add, or none at all.
In a small jar, shake up the dressing ingredients and pour overtop. Toss with tongs. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, peanuts or cilantro and serve immediately or refrigerate until needed.
Ingredients
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the noodles and cook according to the package directions - they should only take about 5 minutes. As they cook, chop your veg, and throw any green ones (asparagus, broccoli) into the pot with the noodles for the last minute or two, which will brighten them up and tenderize them a bit.
Drain the noodles (along with any veg you added) in a colander, then rinse with cold water to stop them from cooking. Drain well and put in a large bowl. Add any other veggies and meat you want to add, or none at all.
In a small jar, shake up the dressing ingredients and pour overtop. Toss with tongs. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, peanuts or cilantro and serve immediately or refrigerate until needed.
I was just thinking about cold sesame noodles this evening, and lo and behold, here you are with a recipe. I will have to make this some time this week, perfect for my hectic schedule.
Love the Banff Springs, have always enjoyed our stays there. In fact love all Fairmont Hotels, they make you feel special and service is 5 star all the way.
Happy Mother’s Day!
My Dad was working at Jasper when Marilyn was filming that movie. He wasn’t that impressed with her, she was drunk a good deal of the time (possibly why she fell and hurt her ankle?) but it was a pretty big deal having a film crew up there. Hope your stay at Banff is injury free and that the peanut sauce ends up inside you instead of on you! 😉
Your Mother’s Day wishes that included those who mother made a tear come to my eye. My Mom has recently moved to a senior’s lodge and my role has become that of care giver or maybe in a stretch “mother”. It’s the circle of life I guess. I’m preparing lunch for her today so I came here for ideas. You always have good ones – sometimes even with dribbley messy mistakes! Enjoy your weekend!
HAPPY HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY TO YOU!!! I am so glad that you are having a wonderful break from day to day life in my favourite (and apparently yours) escape place. Lovely! We are planning to go on a “Heritage Road Trip” next weekend and this great noodle salad is perfect to take as we visit places important to us. Thanks again for another terrific recipe:-) Enjoy your day!
Happy Mother’s Day to you too!
Cheers to dog hair free sheets!
Enjoy the sunshine!
Sounds like a great way to spend the day! Hope you had a great Mother’s Day and I’m really liking the sound of this salad. I’d like to try it with tahini, yum!
A perfect suggestion for the long weekend of yard-work we have planned. Make in the morning and gnaw on it later on with a cold drink, admiring our gardening, mowing, raking results!
I made this tonight… it was awesome thanks for sharing!