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Take Back the Kitchen: Chinese Food from Scratch

Why order in from a Chinese restaurant when you can make great Chinese food from home? If you are one of those people who think Asian food is intimidating, just browse through some Asian cookbooks. You will see that the ingredients start repeating themselves. Before you know it, your pantry will be filled with a finite number of ingredients that will allow you to whip up a dish as tasty as this one without having to leave the house. Enjoy!

Cold Sesame Peanut Noodles:

3 TBS soy sauce
2 TBS rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp dried hot red pepper flakes
4 TBS packed brown sugar
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 TBS sesame oil
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
3/4-1 lb linguine or lo mein noodles
chopped scallions and chopped , peeled cucumber for garnish

In a med. sized saucepan, combine all ingredients up to and including the chicken broth. Cook on medium heat, stirring until it is thickened and smooth. Let cool.

Cook noodles, drain and rinse in cold water. Transfer noodles to a big bowl and toss with the sauce. Serve at room temp. and garnish with the scallions and cukes.
IMPORTANT NOTE! If you make the sauce beforehand, DO NOT toss with the noodles until you are ready to serve. If they sit for a while already mixed, the noodles will soak up all the sauce and it will get dried out. You can make the pasta before and the sauce before but just keep them in separate bowls. You can prep the garnish before also and leave it in the fridge in a small covered bowl or tupperware. Enjoy!

Posted in: Take Back the Kitchen on 03/16/2010