Peanut and Chicken Soba Noodles

Ingredients

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