On hot summer days, my mom always makes Liang Mian or cold noodles with a sesame sauce. 

Simple and refreshing, a bowl of Liang Mian is the perfect remedy for the heat and humidity of summer. This recipe is very forgiving, so feel free to experiment and make it your own.

Ingredients:

½ lb wheat noodles or spaghetti

Toppings

1 medium carrot, shredded

1/2 cucumber, sliced into thin strips

1-2 eggs, sliced into thin strips

1 tbsp scallion, green parts, very thinly sliced

dash of salt

Sauce

1 tbsp garlic, minced

½ cup smooth peanut butter or tahini

3 tbsp soy sauce

2 ½ tbsp rice vinegar

1 ½ tbsp sugar

1 tsp chili paste

1 tbsp sesame oil

2 tbsp water

Directions

1) Cook the noodles until al dente, rinse with cold water and set aside. Mix in 1-3 tsp sesame oil, so the noodles do not stick to each other.

2) To make the eggs, whisk together the eggs and pour them into a pan on medium-low heat. Form a thin layer of egg. Once done (about 2-3 minutes), let cool and slice into thin strips.

3) Make the sauce. Mix together the garlic, peanut butter/tahini, and sesame oil in a bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients for the sauce and stir until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.

4) To assemble, pour the sauce over noodles. Then garnish with cucumbers, carrots, eggs and scallions. Enjoy!