Sesame-Peanut Noodles with Cucumbers

Ingredients

• 1 cup high-quality smooth peanut butter
  
• 1 ¹/₂ cups hot water
  
• 4 to 5 tablespoons cider vinegar or unseasoned rice vinegar
  
• 1 teaspoon salt (possibly more to taste, depending on whether the peanut butter is salty)
  
• 2 teaspoons garlic, chopped
  
• 1 teaspoon ginger, chopped
  
• 2 tablespoons sugar
  
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  
• 3 tablespoons Chinese dark sesame oil
  
• ¹/₂ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  
• 1 pound cooked buckwheat somen noodles (you can use vermicelli or linguine too)
  
• 2 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and cut into thin strips
  
• 1 large carrot, shredded
  
• 4 scallions, finely minced
  
• 2 tablespoons lightly toasted sesame seeds
  
• 1 cup peanuts and/or cashews, lightly toasted and finely chopped
  
• Optional: Minced fresh cilantro for the top