Sichuan-style sesame noodles

“Sesame noodles are one of those dishes that appear super-simple but take precise tweaking, practice and experience to get exactly right. The quality of the Chinese sesame paste makes a big difference. The best I have ever tried was in a restaurant called Ji Gai He on Ji’an Lu in Shanghai – my friend and former food critic Betty Richardson (@bettyshanghai, on Instagram) took me there and I have longed for them ever since. The noodles were super long and perfectly al dente, the sauce was silky smooth, the flavour was nutty and moreish with a little fresh hit of spring onion (scallion). It was perfection. Peanut butter wouldn’t typically be added to this sauce, but I like the extra nutty hit it gives – leave it out if you prefer. It can be served hot or cold. ”