Spicy Noodles with Vegetables & Peanut Sauce

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Who isn't looking for ways to incorporate more vegetables into their meal plans? Donna-Marie has been making this dish ever since her daughter Darcy tried a year of vegetarian eating when she was 16. Darcy turns 30 in a couple of weeks, and while she eats meat again, she still loves this dish. Don't let the name throw you off - if you are not a fan of spice, leave it out. It's all about the veggies anyhow. Any leftovers make a great next-day lunch too.

Ingredients...

Peanut Sauce:

• 1/4 cup peanut or other nut butter
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tbsp soya sauce or Tamari
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp brown sugar, maple syrup or honey
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste
• 1 tbsp sesame oil

Noodle Bowl:

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 leek, white and light green part only, cut into matchstick strips
• 1 Asian eggplant, cut into thin strips (about 2 cups)
• 3  cups thinly sliced red or green cabbage (using a mandolin)
• 2 sweet peppers, (assorted colours), seeded and cut into thin strips
• 1 cup frozen edamame
• 12 oz linguine, broken into thirds (or Asian rice stick noodles, soaked in warm water)
• Garnishes: 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro/coriander or parsley, chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds and lime wedges

Method...

1. Peanut Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine peanut butter, water, soya sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, red pepper flakes and sesame oil. Stir over medium heat until mixture is warm and smooth. Set aside.
2. In a wok or large saucepan, heat oil over high heat. Add ginger, garlic, leek and eggplant and cabbage; cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Add peppers, cook stirring for 1 minute more or until vegetables are just tender-crisp. Stir in peanut sauce until heated through.
3. Noodle Bowl: Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook edamame for 5 minutes until tender. Strain, reserving water for noodles; rinse edamame under cold water and set aside.
4. Add linguine to the pot and cook according to package directions, approximately 8 to 10 minutes, until tender but firm. Drain and return to pot. Toss with vegetables and peanut sauce until well coated.
5. Spoon into serving bowls and garnish with chopped cilantro, green onions, toasted sesame seeds and a lime wedge.

Makes 6 servings

Cook’s Note: If using rice noodles, soak in water until softened – do not boil. Add to pot and toss with sauce as directed.

Tools You Will Need To Make This Dish

Oxo Hand Mandolin

Assorted Bowls for serving