Soba Noodles with Shrimp and Snow Peas

I've said multiple times that I'm trying to learn Asian style cooking.  This is one of the first recipes I tried.  It's simple and surprisingly, really good.  It's also perfect if you need dinner in a hurry.

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

2 Tbsp soy sauce

1 Tbsp white vinegar

1 tsp Asian sesame oil

1 Tbsp chili sauce

1 tsp salt

8 oz soba noodles

10 oz shredded or matchstick carrots

1 lb large shrimp, shelled and deveined

4 oz snow peas, strings removed

1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

In a small bowl, put peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil and chili sauce.  Stir and set aside.  

Heat covered 5 - 6-quart saucepot of salted water to boiling over high heat.  Add noodles and cook 4 minutes.  Add carrots and cook 1 minute.  Add shrimp and snow peas and cook 2 minutes more.  Reserve 1/2 cup noodle cooking water.  Drain noodles, shrimp, and vegetables in large colander.  Transfer noodle mixture to a large bowl.  

With a wire whisk, beat peanut butter mixture until well blended.  Add peanut sauce and chopped cilantro to noodle mixture in bowl and toss until evenly coated.  

To serve, spoon into 4 large bowls; garnish each serving with a cilantro sprig.