Spicy Peanut Noodles

You know what I can't get enough of?  Asian food!  And peanuts!  And saving money!  So this recipe combines all three things.  I have been bringing it to work for lunch the last couple of weeks and been very excited for the day to get to around noon time.  How excited you ask?  Well I have also been bringing brownies and in a Sophie's choice situation where I could pick only one, I would choose this over the brownie.

It is a delightful cold noodle pasta salad that is filling, a little spicy, and very delicious.  I found it on the Pioneer Woman, which has many easy, cheap recipes that you should also check out.  She is also really into being a cowboy's wife, which I am not so much, but luckily you can skip past all those parts very easily.

The recipe suggests using a food processor, but if you mince the garlic, you can just whisk the dressing in a bowl.  Throw in some whatever noodle pasta you have lying around and you have lunches for the week.

Recipe: Spicy Peanut Pasta Salad

Prep Time: 20 Minutes  |  Cook Time: 10 Minutes  |  Difficulty: Easy  |  Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1-½ pound Linguine (or any other noodles)
• 1 bunch Cilantro, Roughly Chopped
• 4 whole Green Onions, Thinly Sliced
• _____
• PEANUT DRESSING:
• 5 cloves Garlic, Peeled
• 1 cup Chunky Peanut Butter
• ¾ cups Low Sodium Soy Sauce
• 4 Tablespoons (to 5 Tablespoons) Red Wine Vinegar
• 6 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 3 Tablespoons (to 4 Tablespoons) Red Chile Oil
• ¼ cups Olive Oil
• ¼ cups Sesame Oil (can Also Use 1/2 Cup Olive Oil)
• 1 Tablespoon (to 2 Tablespoons) Toasted Sesame Oil (sold In The Asian Aisle)

Preparation Instructions

Boil linguine. Drain and set aside. Keep cool or at room temperature.

Make the dressing: in a blender or food processor, add garlic, peanut butter, soy sauce, red wine vinegar, and brown sugar. Pulse until smooth. Add chili oil and pulse again until smooth.

With the food processor on, pour in other oils until mixture is smooth and pourable. Thin with water to get desired consistency if necessary. Chill dressing until ready to use.

To assemble the salad, combine linguine, dressing, cilantro, and green onions. Toss to combine. Add dressing gradually and toss until the noodles are sufficiently coated. Toss with more cilantro for a garnish.