Cold Peanut Noodles with Tofu and Bell Peppers

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from Food & Wine, July 2007, page 170

1/2 pound firm tofu, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons soy sauce
3/4 pound Chinese chow mein noodles (not the crunchy ones!) or thin linguine
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup chicken stock or low-sodium broth
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
3/4 teaspoon Chinese chile-garlic sauce
1 tablespoon fresh chopped ginger
1 garlic clove
3/4 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
2 large red bell peppers, thinly sliced
3 large scallions, cut into 2-inch lengths and julienned
cilantro sprigs, for garnish

1. In a large bowl, toss the tofu with 2 tablespoons of the soy sauce and let stand for 10 minutes.

2. Bring a large saucepan of water to boil. Add the chow mein noodles and cook until they are al dente. Drain and rinse the noodles under cold water. Shake out the excess water and add the noodles to the tofu and soy sauce.

3. Meanwhile, in a blender, combine the remaining 1/4 cup of soy sauce with the peanut butter, chicken stock, rice vinegar, chile-garlic sauce, ginger, garlic and sesame oil and puree until a smooth sauce forms. Pour the peanut sauce over the noodles, add the sliced red bell peppers and scallions and toss. Garnish with cilantro and serve.

Recommended wine pairing (from F&W, not me): Nutty, zesty Orvieto Classico: 2006 La Carraia.

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