CHERRY SESAME NOODLES WITH LEMON-HOISIN SAUCE

Cherry Sesame Noodles with Lemon-Hoisin Sauce image

Provided by Merry Graham

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 19

4 Tbsp peanut oil, divided
4 clove garlic, minced
6 medium green onions, chopped, with whites and greens divided
1/3 c seasoned rice wine vinegar
1/3 c hoisin sauce
3 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 Tbsp honey, divided
2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil, divided
2 medium lemons, finely grate zest, divided
1 Tbsp finely grated ginger root
1 tsp sriracha hot sauce, divided
1/2 c dried cherries, roughly chop
8 oz soba noodles , chow mein noodles or thin spaghetti are good substitutes
1/4 c water
1/4 tsp salt
3 c broccoli, florets cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 c cilantro leaves, roughly chop if needed
2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
1/3 c roasted salted almonds, roughly chop

Steps:

1. In a saucepan or small skillet, heat 1 Tbsp peanut oil over medium heat. Add garlic and white onion tips, sauté for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk rice wine vinegar, Hoisin sauce, lemon juice, 1 Tbsp honey, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, half of the lemon zest, ginger, and 1/2 tsp hot sauce. Add to cooked garlic mixture. Increase heat to high and cook until very bubbly. Reduce heat to medium, add cherries, and cook, stirring frequently, for 4 or until thickened. Remove from heat. Set aside.
2. Meanwhile, cook noodles to al dente, about 6 minutes, or as directed on package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process. Toss noodles with 1 Tbsp peanut oil, 1 Tbsp sesame oil and green onion tips. Set aside.
3. To Pan-Roast Broccoli: Stir water, salt,1/2 tsp hot sauce and 1 Tbsp honey together in small bowl until salt dissolves; set aside. In large nonstick skillet with tight-fitting lid, heat 2 Tbsp peanut oil over medium-high heat. Add broccoli and cook, without stirring, until bottoms of florets just begin to brown, 1-2 minutes. Turn florets over with spatula, and brown other side, about 1-2 minutes. Add water mixture and cover skillet; cook broccoli about 2 minutes. If needed, continue to cook until desired tenderness. Add lemon-hoisin sauce and noodles to pan, gently toss. Gently fold cilantro and sesame seeds into noodles. Place noodles and broccoli on serving platter and sprinkle with almonds and remaining lemon zest. Garnish with sprigs of cilantro.