Chicken And Noodles In Sesame Ginger Dressing

Directions

1. Cook your choice of pasta till done. Drain and run cool water over noodles. Drain thoroughly.
2. Coarsely shred half the cucumber. (Remove peel if using waxed.) Thinly slice the remainder.
3. Hot the bottled dressing gently in the microwave (1 minute, 30% power). Add in peanut butter and stir well. Add in the grated cucumber with it's juice. Add in more bottled dressing to thin, if necessary. Season to taste.
4. Toss chicken, sliced cucumber, green onions, garlic, pasta and dressing; mix well. Chop cilantro and sprinkle on top. Let it sit for at least 5 min before serving at room temperature.
5. Variations: Replace peanut butter. Try sesame seed paste; leftover bean hummus; or possibly other nut-butter.
6. Serving Ideas : For lunch or possibly light dinner with fresh spinach leaves and tomatoes, julienned carrot or possibly red bell pepper; shredded napa cabbage; mandarin orange segments; dry roasted peanuts; or possibly plain.
7. Description: "Use leftover (cooked) chicken in this Asian pasta salad with cucumber"
8. NOTES : Poached chicken: cook skinless boneless chicken breast in a mix of water and white wine or possibly vermouth to cover. Cook till done, about 15 min. Cold and drain and shred.
9. Uses cooked chicken, fresh cucumber and scallions. optional cilantro.
10. Offhand- salt and pepper, peanut butter, bottled salad dressing, garlic, pasta