COLD SESAME NOODLES WITH SMOKED CHICKEN

Cold Sesame Noodles with Smoked Chicken image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

12 ounces ramen noodles (four 3-ounce bundles; see Cook's Note)
2 bunches scallions
1/4 cup tahini paste
1/4 cup shoyu, soy sauce or black garlic soy
About 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons mirin
1 to 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger root (about a 2-inch piece)
2 large cloves garlic
1 tablespoon chili paste or sauce, such as sambal olek or sriracha, plus more for serving if desired
1 tablespoon pourable light brown sugar
1/2 seedless cucumber or 2 Persian cucumbers, thin julienne
3 cups smoked chicken, rotisserie chicken or plant-based grilled chicken, thinly sliced or pulled (about 12 ounces; see Cook's Note)
3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Steps:

Bring a pot with 3 to 4 quarts water to a boil for ramen or thin spaghetti. If using thin spaghetti, you'll need baking soda as well (see Cook's Note). Ramen does not require salt to be added into water.
Take 4 scallions and trim, cut into thirds and slice lengthwise; put in ice cold water to curl the scallions. Thinly slice the remainder of the 2 bunches on a bias and reserve.
For dressing, in a food processor, combine tahini paste, shoyu or soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, mirin, toasted sesame oil, ginger, garlic, chili paste or sauce and light brown sugar. Process sauce until smooth and add a splash of bottled or filtered water if necessary to thin--sauce should be creamy but pourable. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Drop ramen or pasta into boiling water and cook ramen 4 minutes (thin spaghetti about 6 minutes). Drain and cold rinse, then drain again. Toss ramen with sauce, sliced scallions, three-quarters of the cucumbers and three-quarters of the chicken. Drain scallion curls. Arrange noodles in shallow bowls and top with scallion curls, remaining chicken and cucumbers, lots of sesame seeds and a few dollops of chili paste if desired.