Best Peanut Sesame Dressing Recipes

CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD WITH PEANUT-SESAME DRESSING

Steps:

• Fill a large saucepan three-fourths full with water and bring to a boil.
• Add the chicken breasts and return to a boil, skimming off any scum that forms on the surface, then immediately reduce the heat to low.
• Simmer, uncovered, until tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Drain and let cool.
• Remove the skin from the chicken breasts, bone the breasts and hand shred the meat with the grain into strips about 1/2 inch thick and 2 inches long.
• Refill the large saucepan three-fourths full with water.
• Bring to a boil over high heat and add the salt.
• Gently pull the strands of noodles apart, then drop them into the boiling water, stirring to separate the strands.
• When the water comes to a second boil, boil for 1 minute longer.
• Pour the noodles into a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold running water.
• Drain thoroughly and transfer to a large bowl.
• Toss with the peanut oil to keep the noodles from sticking together.
• Set aside.
• If using white sesame seeds, toast them in a small, dry frying pan over medium heat until golden and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
• If using black sesame seeds, leave them untoasted.
• In a large bowl, toss together the chicken, bell pepper, carrot, cilantro and toasted or raw sesame seeds.
• Arrange the cooked noodles in a wide shallow bowl.
• Scatter the cucumber over the noodles and top with the chicken mixture.
• Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• To make the dressing, in a small bowl, stir together the peanut butter, sesame paste, sugar, soy sauce and vinegar. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the peanut or corn oil, sesame oil and chili oil.
• When hot, add the garlic, ginger and green onion; saute gently until fragrant but not browned, about 15 seconds.
• Stir in the peanut butter-sesame paste mixture and cook until the mixture begins to form a light syrup, about 1 minute.
• Remove from the heat and let cool to lukewarm.
• Pour the warm dressing over the chicken salad and sprinkle with the peanuts.
• Serve immediately.

ASIAN SESAME NOODLE SALAD WITH PEANUT DRESSING (VEGETARIAN)

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender; drain and rinse well under COLD water, then toss with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, transfer to a large bowl, then add in the red bell pepper and green onions.
• Using a blender puree all the dressing ingredients until smooth (about 2 minutes).
• Just before serving pour the dressing over the cooked pasta and veggies, then add in the toasted sesame seeds; toss well to combine.
• Sprinkle with chopped green onions if desired and serve.

YIN & YANG TOFU SALAD WITH PEANUT-SESAME DRESSING

Steps:

• Peanut-Sesame Dressing: Blend all the ingredients except the cilantro in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy. Add the cilantro and blend just until it's finely chopped. (Makes about 1 1/4 cups).
• Gingered Tofu: Drain the tofu and save the containers. Cut into 1-inch wide strips, and pat dry with paper towels. Cover a large baking sheet with more dry paper towels. Place Ihe tofu in a single layer over the towels on the baking sheet and let drain for 2 hours, changing the paper towels after 1 hour.
• Whisk the tamari, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a bowl to blend. Pour half of the marinade into the reserved tofu containers. Return the tofu slices to the containers, and pour the remaining marinade over. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to 1 day.
• Preheat the oven to 400'F. Oil a heavy, rimmed baking sheet with the canola oil. Drain the tofu and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes on each side until golden brown and heated through. Serve warm or cold, or at room temperature. (The tofu will keep for 1 day, covered and refrigerated.).
• Salad: Toss the cabbage, carrots, radish, and green onions in a large bowl with enough dressing to coat (about 1 cup). Mound the salad into 6 plates. Arrange the tofu around the salad and sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD WITH PEANUT SESAME DRESSING

Steps:

• Combine dressing ingredients and set aside. Slice chicken into long thin strips. Just before serving, toss together chicken, onions, lettuce and dressing. Top with fried wontons or chow mein noodles and gently toss again. Recipe may be doubled.

YIN AND YANG SALAD WITH PEANUT-SESAME DRESSING

Steps:

• Toss the cabbage, carrots, radish, and green onions in a large bowl with enough dressing to coat. Mound the salad into 4 wide, shallow bowls or onto plates. Arrange the tofu around the salad. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds and serve. See separate recipe for Peanut-Sesame Dressing

PEANUT-SESAME DRESSING

Steps:

• Ann's header notes: If you'd like a spicier dressing, just add more crushed red pepper flakes. This thickens up once it's refrigerated, so you can either add a little water to thin it or leave it thick to use as a sauce on grains and other cooked dishes. Blend the peanut butter, vinegar, maple syrup, water, tamari, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Add the cilantro and blend just until it's finely chopped The dressing will keep for 2 days, covered and refrigerated.