Bean-Thread Noodles with Crisp Vegetables in Peanut Sauce

Brimming with barely-cooked vegetables, this noodle dish makes a good light dinner. Leftovers packed in a container and eaten cold also make a terrific change-of-pace offering in a brown-bag lunch.

Serves: 4

4 ounces bean-thread (cellophane) noodles

Sauce:

2 tablespoons natural-style or reduced-fat peanut butter
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons rice vinegar or other mild white vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
¼ cup hot water

1 large red bell pepper, cut into strips
1 ½ cups snow peas or sugar snap peas, trimmed
1 large carrot, peeled and cut into
matchsticks or sliced diagonally
6 stalks bok choy, sliced diagonally
1 15-ounce can baby corn, liquid reserved
1 8-ounce can sliced water chestnuts, drained
2 to 3 scallions, green parts only, cut into 1-inch lengths
1 8-ounce package baked marinated tofu (see note),
cut into short, narrow strips
2 tablespoons natural soy sauce, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons dry sherry
1 teaspoon dark sesame oil

Combine the noodles with enough hot water to cover in a heatproof container. Let them soak, covered, for about 20 minutes, or until done but still firm. Drain the noodles, then place them on a cutting board and chop in several directions to shorten.

Meanwhile, combine the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl and whisk together. Set aside until needed.

Prepare all the vegetables as described before starting to stir-fry. Slowly heat 2 tablespoons of the soy sauce, sherry, sesame oil, plus ¼ cup of the reserved liquid from the baby corn in a wok or stir-fry pan.

Raise the heat to medium-high and add all the vegetables. Stir quickly to coat them with the soy sauce mixture, then add the tofu and stir-fry for not more than 5 minutes, until the vegetables have just lost their raw quality. Remove from the heat.

Place the drained noodles on a cutting board and chop them in different directions to shorten. Transfer them to a large serving bowl and toss with the peanut sauce.

Add the vegetables to the noodles and toss well. Serve at once, passing around extra soy sauce if desired.

Note: Baked marinated tofu comes in 8-ounce cellophane-wrapped packages and is available from natural foods stores and some well-stocked supermarkets.