Stupidly Easy Peanut Noodles

Ingredients
2 cups broccoli florets (or any mix of veggies like shredded carrots, sliced red peppers, shredded cabbage, bean sprouts, wilted kale, etc.)
8 oz linguine or spaghetti

for the sauce
3 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3/4 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon sesame oil. Substitute with canola oil.
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
Crushed red chili flakes, as much as you like

2 tablespoons chopped green onion or cilantro or parsley for garnish

Method
1. In a large pot, bring plenty of salted water to a boil.

2. While water is coming to a boil, work on the sauce. Place all sauce ingredients (peanut butter through red chili flakes) in a bowl. Add 3 tablespoons of water, and whisk everything together till a sauce forms. Set aside.

3. When the water boils, add the broccoli florets and continue boiling till the broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, remove the broccoli from the water and place in a wok.

4. Bring the same water back to a boil. Then add pasta to the water and cook according to package instructions. Make sure you dont over cook the pasta. Drain well.

5. Add the drained pasta to the wok with broccoli.

6. Pour the peanut sauce all over the pasta and toss well. Taste the pasta, if it needs more salt, add soy sauce half a tablespoon at a time, tossing and tasting as you go.

7. Garnish with chopped green onions, cilantro or parsley. Serve warm or cold

Thanks to: http://www.veggiebelly.com/2013/02/stupidly-easy-peanut-noodles.html 

Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Croutons

Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Croutons

Ingredients
3 tablespoons good olive oil
3 cups yellow onions, chopped (2 onions)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
4 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
Large pinch of saffron threads
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup orzo
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 (1/2-inch-thick) slices country white bread
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
4 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated

Directions
In a large pot or Dutch oven such as Le Creuset, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Stir in the chicken stock, tomatoes, saffron, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, fill a medium pot with water, add 2 teaspoons salt and bring to a boil. Add the orzo and cook for 7 minutes. (It will finish cooking in the soup.) Drain the orzo and add it to the soup. Stir in the cream, return the soup to a simmer and cook for 10 more minutes, stirring frequently.

Heat a panini grill. Place the four slices of bread on a cutting board and brush lightly with the melted butter, being sure to butter the corners. Turn the slices over and pile Gruyere on two of the slices. Place the remaining two slices of bread on top of the Gruyere, buttered sides up.

Grill the sandwiches on the panini grill for about 5 minutes, until nicely browned. Place on a cutting board, allow to rest for 1 minute and cut into 1-inch cubes.

Serve hot with Grilled Cheese Croutons scattered on top.

Link

Beef & Cabbage Stir-Fry with Peanut Sauce

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup smooth natural peanut butter
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 4 teaspoons canola oil, divided
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound sirloin steak, trimmed and thinly sliced (see Tip)
• 1 small head Savoy cabbage, thinly sliced
• 2-5 tablespoons water
• 2 medium carrots, grated
• 1/4 cup chopped unsalted roasted peanuts, (optional)

PREPARATION

1. Whisk peanut butter, orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar and sugar in a medium bowl until smooth.
2. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add steak and cook, stirring, until browned and barely pink in the middle, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Swirl in the remaining 2 teaspoons oil. Add cabbage and 2 tablespoons water; cook, stirring, until beginning to wilt, 3 to 5 minutes. Add carrots (and more water if necessary to prevent sticking or burning) and cook, stirring, until just tender, about 3 minutes more. Return the steak and any accumulated juices to the pan, then pour in the peanut sauce and toss to combine. Serve sprinkled with peanuts (if using).

Really Good Vegetarian Meatloaf (Really!)

Really Good Vegetarian Meatloaf (Really!)

Ingredients
2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup lentils
1 small onion, diced
1 cup quick-cooking oats
3/4 cup grated cheddar or monterey jack
1 egg, beaten
4 1/2 ounces spaghetti sauce or 4 1/2 ounces tomato sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions
Add salt to water and boil in a saucepan. Add lentils and simmer covered 25-30 minutes, until lentils are soft and most of water is evaporated. Remove from heat.
Drain and partially mash lentils. Scrape into mixing bowl and allow to cool slightly.
Stir in onion, oats and cheese until mixed. Add egg, tomato sauce, garlic, basil, parsley, seasoning salt and pepper. Mix well.
Spoon into loaf pan that has been generously sprayed with Pam (non-stick cooking spray) or well-greased.
Smooth top with back of spoon.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30- 45 minutes until top of loaf is dry, firm and golden brown.
Cool in pan on rack for about 10 minutes.
Run a sharp knife around edges of pan then turn out loaf onto serving platter.