curry peanut noodles

i love cooking. love it. but, the chore i hate most in the world is making lunches m-f. i'm not sure why this is, but because i dislike it so much it usually ends up being a pretty crappy sandwich. however, lately i decided to cook something on sunday that i could pack as lunches for the rest of the week. it has been fabulous not having to make sandwiches, and getting something tasty for lunch. my friend, jenni, posted a great recipe on her site for pesto polenta lasagna that i made last night. to repay the favor i thought i would post a recipe as well.

curry peanut noodles

ingredients

12 oz spaghetti

2/3 c crunchy peanut butter

1-2 t red curry paste

2 tsp rice wine vinegar

juice of 1 lime

1/3 c cilantro

2 scallions

1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut into thin strips

1 large carrot, coarsely grated

red pepper flakes, for serving

1. bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti per package instructions. reserve about 1/2 cup of cooking water

2. mix the peanut butter, curry paste, vinegar, and lime juice in a small pot over medium heat. heat until the peanut butter starts to melt. stir in the 1/2 cup of pasta water to create a sauce.

3. toss the spaghetti with the peanut sauce, scallions, cucumber, carrot, and cilantro. serve with extra cilantro and red pepper flakes, if desired.

this dish is terrific hot or cold. enjoy!

as a side note, the following conversation just happened in our household:
me: why is your shirt on the floor?
aaron: i put it there.
me: oh, and i thought there wouldn't be a good reason.
aaron: rest assured, there is.