From the Peanut Gallery

Maybe I'm still inspired by the China Through the Looking Glass exhibit I saw this weekend at The Met, but Asian food is seriously the best.

It's also a well known fact that Asian cuisine tastes better when it's hot out and even better still when there is peanut sauce involved.

Although basic, this recipe is the only one I use. It packs in a lot of flavor from the fresh peanut butter base then uses ginger, garlic, and red pepper to deliver a little kick, with just enough soy sauce and vinegar to add some zip.

No judgement to those of you who lick the dish clean after tasting this sauce - it's that good, I promise!

Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

• 1/3 c peanut butter (I use raw)
• 2 T soy sauce
• 3 T unsweetened rice vinegar
• 2 t dried ginger or 1 inch fresh ginger
• 2 t dried garlic or 1 large clove fresh garlic
• 1 T agave
• 1-2 t red pepper flakes
• 1 t sesame oil
• 1/2 lime juiced

Combine

1. Place all ingredients into a food processor and blend on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until everything is smooth.
2. If the sauce seems too runny add an extra spoonful of peanut butter and blend again.
3. If the sauce seems to thick add an extra splash of soy and blend again.

Chicken 'n Soba Saute

Ingredients

• 1 inch diameter of soba noodles
• 1 pound chicken, trimmed of fat, cut into tender size strips, lightly oiled and salted.
• 1-2 T vegetable or olive oil
• 1/2 jalapeno, minced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, peeled and julienne
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 1-2 ribs of celery, sliced
• 1 handful snap peas
• 1 lime, juiced

Combine

1. Bring a tall pot of water to a boil, drop in the noodles, and cook according to time on package. Drain the noodles when finished and set aside in a bath of cold water to prevent them from sticking together.
2. Heat a little oil in a pan until it shimmers, add the chicken and brown each side.
3. Toss in the jalapeno and cook for 1-2 minutes.
4. Add in the garlic, red pepper, and carrots and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
5. Add in the celery, snap peas, and lime juice and cook just until the peas look bright.  Then remove from heat.
6. Drain the soba noodles, toss in peanut sauce until well coated and plate.
7. Top with veggies and enjoy!