• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli and 2 teaspoons of salt. Cook uncovered about 4 minutes, until crisp-tender. Transfer the broccoli with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice water.
• Bring the pot of water back to a boil and add the asparagus. Cook 3 minutes until crisp-tender. Add to the bowl of ice water. When the vegetables are cool, drain them and pat dry.
• Bring a new pot of water to a boil and follow the cooking instructions on your noodle package. Cook just until al dente. Drain well and toss in a bowl with the sesame oil.
• Add the peanut dressing, broccoli, and asparagus to the bowl with the noodles. Toss well. This dish will keep well at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Spread the cabbage out on a serving platter and top with the noodles.
• Garnish with the scallions, peanuts, and cilantro.

Cold Noodle Salad

• In a small skillet over medium-low heat, toast the sesame seeds, stirring them often, until lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the skillet and cool. The seeds can be toasted up to 3 days ahead. Store airtight, at room temperature.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil with 2 tablespoons salt. Add the snow peas and cook, stirring once or twice, until crisp-tender, 1 to 2 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the snow peas to a bowl of iced water. Cool completely, then drain immediately and pat dry. The snow peas can be prepared several hours in advance. Cover and hold at room temperature. 
• Meanwhile, return the same pot of water to a boil and add another tablespoon of salt. Add the noodles, partially cover and cook according to package directions. Drain, rinse thoroughly with cold water, and drain again. In a large bowl, toss the noodles with the sesame oil. The noodles can be prepared several hours in advance. Cover and hold at room temperature
• In a large skillet over high heat, warm the canola oil. Add the shiitake and cremini mushrooms with ½ teaspoon of salt and cook, tossing and stirring occasionally, until barely tender, about 4 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the mushrooms to the bowl with the noodles.
• Just before serving, add the snow peas to the bowl with the noodles and mushrooms. Re-whisk the dressing and pour it over the salad. Toss well. Add the sprouts, green onion and 2 tablespoons of the sesame seeds and toss again. Turn the salad out onto a deep serving platter. Sprinkle the remaining seeds over the salad and serve immediately. 

Sesame-Soy Dressing

• In a medium bowl, whisk together all the ingredients except for the canola oil. When everything is combined, slowly drizzle in the canola oil while whisking, so the dressing does not separate.