INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

FOR THE CHICKEN
FOR THE CUCUMBERS
FOR THE NOODLES
FOR THE SESAME SAUCE
(Cold Chicken, Cucumber, and Cellophane Noodles in Sesame Sauce)
For the chicken:
Peel ginger and cut into "coins" 1/8 in. (3 mm) wide. Clean scallions and
flatten them with the side of a heavy knife blade or cleaver. Cut these
into 2 in. (5 cm) lengths, using both the green and white parts. Combine
the ginger, scallions, salt, wine and Szechwan peppercorns and rub all over
chicken breasts and place all in a heat proof bowl. Set this mixture aside
to marinate at room temperature for at least 1 hour, turning the breasts
several times.
After at least 1 hour place bowl of chicken with marinade in a steamer and
steam for 30 minutes, checking occasionally to make sure the steamer
doesn't run out of water. Remove from steamer and let cool. Remove and
discard any pieces of scallion, ginger, or peppercorn clinging to the
chicken and cut into match stick sized pieces. Refrigerate until ready to
assemble dish.
For the cucumbers:
Peel the cucumbers and cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out and discard seeds.
Cut each half into 2 in. (5 cm) sections, and slice each of these sections
lengthwise as thin as you can. Place cucumber slices in a bowl and mix well
with the salt. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Just prior to serving
squeeze out as much liquid as you can, using your hands, and pat dry
between paper towels.
For the noodles:
Put the noodles in a bowl and cover with 4 cups boiling water. Let soak for
20 minutes. Drain. Boil additional 4 cups water and add softened cellophane
noodles. Cook noodles for 2 to 3 minutes after water returns to boil. Drain
noodles and rinse under cold water. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
For the sesame sauce:
Peel garlic cloves and place in small bowl or mortar. Peel ginger and chop
fine. Add the ginger and the salt to the garlic and, using the wooden
handle of your cleaver, a wooden spoon, or pestle, mash them together until
they turn into a coarse paste. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until
thoroughly combined.
For the presentation:
Arrange the drained cucumber slices on a large, flat serving platter. Place
the noodles on a cutting board and cut across them several times to make
them a more manageable length. Arrange on top of cucumbers. Arrange the
sliced chicken on top of the noodles. Spoon the sauce over the chicken
immediately prior to serving. Note: this dish may be served cold or at room
temperature. You may make it in advance and keep it refrigerated. Do not
add the sauce until just before you serve it. Serves 8 to 10.
NOTES : * Available in finer supermarkets and Asian specialty shops. **
Also available in Asian specialty shops. Middle Eastern sesame paste,
tahini, may be substituted. Today's recipe supposedly gets its name from
its appearance. The shredded chicken looks like sticks of kindling, or
bangbang. While we can't attest = to the truth of the story, we do know
that this is the ultimate "chicken sala= d". The preparation is somewhat
elaborate, and therefore better suited to a gu= est
continued in part 2

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