Peanut and Chicken Soba Noodles

Ingredients

• Sauce

  • 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh ginger, finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp lemongrass, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup (75 ml) peanut butter
  • 3 tbsp (45 ml) fish sauce (nuoc-mam)
  • 3 tbsp (45 ml) hoisin sauce
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) chili sauce or ketchup
  • Tabasco-style sauce or sambal oelek, to taste
  • 1 can (14 oz/398 ml) coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) chicken broth

• Noodles

  • ¾ lb (375 g) soba noodles (see note)
  • 1/2 lb (225 g) asparagus, trimmed and cut into 4 pieces each (see note)
  • 2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 3 tbsp (45 ml) vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup (75 ml) peanuts, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cucumber, grated