Sez Who? Sesame, That's Who!

This couldn't be easier - some stuff in the blender, a few vegetables chopped, some noodles boiled - toss it all around in a pan, and there you go.  In fact, you could make the sauce the night before and heat it up when you get home from work to cut the cooking time a bit more.  It has a powerful nutty/salty/sweet flavour - I'd probably add more chili paste (perhaps double, because I like the spice), but do as suits you.  I also added some stir-fried snow peas - you could also try water chestnuts, stir-fried broccoli, or other veg.  Thin strips of beef cooked on the grill wouldn't go amiss, either...

Sesame Noodles with Peanut Sauce*
 

1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
4 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
10 tablespoons soy sauce
4 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon chili garlic paste
4 tablespoons light brown sugar
Hot water

16 ounces noodles
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
4 scallions (green onions), sliced thin on diagonal
1 medium carrot, grated

Toast the sesame seeds in a medium skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 10 minutes.  Reserve 1 tablespoon sesame seeds in a small bowl.  In a blender or food processor, puree the remaining 3 tablespoons sesame seeds with peanut butter, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili paste, and brown sugar until smooth, about 30 seconds.  If sauce is too thick, with the machine running add hot water 1 tablespoon at time until the sauce has the consistency of heavy cream – slightly  thickened but pourable.  Set blender jar or workbowl aside.

Cook noodles according to package directions.  Rinse noodles well and drain.  Put noodles either in a large bowl or the pot you cooked them in.   Toss noodles with sesame oil using tongs until evenly coated. Add scallions, carrot, and sauce; toss to combine. Divide among individual bowls, sprinkle each bowl with portion of reserved toasted sesame seeds, and serve immediately.  (May need slight heating in microwave)

*Errrr.... may contain peanuts...