Chicken, pea and noodle salad

Trim and roughly chop 2 of the spring onions and put in a shallow pan with the bay, thyme, peppercorns, a pinch of salt and about 600ml cold water. Bring to the boil, then put the chicken breasts in, take the pan off the heat, cover with a tight-fitting lid and leave for an hour to cook (off the heat). Shred the chicken. Blanch the sugar-snaps or mangetout in boiling water for 2 mins, drain, rinse in cold water and plunge into iced water. Cook the noodles according to pack instructions. Drain, refresh, and then drain again. Mix together the sesame oil, soy, sugar and lime juice to make a dressing. Toss half through the noodles and divide between 4 plates or bowls. Top with pieces of shredded chicken, sliced sugarsnaps or mangetout, and thin strips of spring onion. Top with the pea shoots. Drizzle with the rest of the dressing and sprinkle with cashew nuts or sesame seeds.