Chicken Udon Bowl

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This is a cold noodle dish that is a great lunch or dinner on a hot day.  We used Udon noodles for this recipe but feel free to substitute for your favorite whole grain noodle.  You can also substitute peanut butter for the tahini as long as the peanut butter is made with just peanuts and salt.  The recipe calls for poaching chicken and shredding it.  Hear we just sliced leftover grilled chicken. (We often grill extras on the weekends to be used in meals during the week).

Serving size: 4
Time: 30 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1 to 2 cups shredded cooked chicken or about 8 ounces boneless chicken breast
• 1 pound cucumber
• 12 ounces long pasta like linguine, or 16 ounces fresh Chinese egg noodles
• 2 tablespoons dark sesame oil
• ½ cup sesame paste (tahini) or peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger, optional
• 1 tablespoon rice or wine vinegar
• Hot sesame oil or Tabasco sauce to taste
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more
• 1/2 cup minced scallions for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. 1.Set a large pot of water to boil and salt it. If your chicken is uncooked, poach it in water as it comes to a boil; it will cook in about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, peel cucumbers, cut them in half, and, using a spoon, scoop out seeds. Cut cucumber into shreds and set aside.
2. When water comes to a boil, cook pasta until tender but not mushy. (If chicken is not done, you can still add pasta; remove chicken when it is done.) While pasta is cooking, whisk together sesame oil and paste, sugar, soy, ginger, vinegar, hot oil and pepper in a large bowl. Thin sauce with hot water, so that it is about the consistency of heavy cream; you will need 1/4 to 1/2 cup. Stir in cucumber. When pasta is done, drain it and run pasta (and chicken, if necessary) under cold water. Drain. Shred chicken (the easiest way to do this is with your fingers).
3. Toss noodles and chicken with sauce and cucumbers. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary (the dish may need salt), then garnish with the green onions and serve.