Instructions: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and have a large bowl of ice water ready to cool the vegetables. Remove stems from shiitake mushrooms; blanch for 20 seconds, place in ice water, and transfer to a small bowl when cool. Repeat this process with the asparagus and sugar snap peas, blancing the asparagus for 1 minute and the sugar snap peas for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, until bright green but still crunchy. Thinly cut the green part of the scallions diagonally and julienne the white part; set aside.

With the back of a knife or a rolling pin, crush sesame seeds until they almost become a powder. Combine in a small bowl with sesame oil, soy sauce, cilantro, and rice wine vinegar. In a small bowl, toss shiitake mushrooms with 2 teaspoons of the sesame oil mixture, and divide remaining mixture among four small dipping bowls.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the somen noodles, and cook until tender but still firm, about 5 minutes. Drain the noodles in a fine sieve, and rinse with cold water to stop them from cooking. Divide the noodles among four serving bowls, and put a small handful of ice cubes into each bowl to keep the noodles chilled. Arrange the remaining ingredients in various serving dishes, so that guests can help themselves.

Makes 4 servings.

Comments:
This recipe can be expanded to feed more people, as it makes wonderful party food. Feel free to make substitutions with the vegetables.

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