Sunday, March 20, 2011

Noodles with Curried Peanut Sauce





Chinese Egg Noodles

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Dinner tonight was going to be an all-you-can-eat rib-fest held at the King Estate Winery. Once there, the wine would also flow freely, so something substantial was need to span the hours between lunch and dinner. I settled on these noodles which were originally developed by Jacki Passmore. I often make these when I'm having dinner by myself. They are ridiculously easy to make, but more importantly, they are delicious. The noodles can be on the table in about 15 minutes and no chopping is required to get them there. This is a boil, mix and stir affair that requires no special instructions or tips. I do want, however, to talk a bit about the noodles I've used here. I've included a photo of the ones that should be used to make this dish. Many people honestly believe there is no difference between Chinese noodles, collectively called mien, and Italian macaroni. That really is not true. In the realm of wheat based noodles, those from China are softer and more tender than those from Italy. Italian macaroni is made from hard wheat flour which has more substance and a bit more flavor than the softer flours used in China. Chinese noodles are usually thinner than the Italian variety and they are definitely more brittle. They cook far more quickly and can be boiled in water that contains no salt because salt is used in the dough that's used to make them. Chinese noodles would be a disappointment if used in recipes for Italian macaroni. Likewise, Italian noodles, in my opinion, are a bust if used in Chinese dishes. Most of the world would argue that, but it really is an honest opinion on my part. If necessity forces you to use an Italian product in a Chinese dish, use only spaghetti. Fettuccine or linguine may look like Chinese egg noodles, but all they share is appearance and this dish will not work if they are used. I know I have a tendency to tell you more than you want or need to know about some things, so I'll stop here for tonight and let you enjoy your evening. Here's the effortless recipe for noodles made with curried peanut sauce. I think you'll enjoy it.

Noodles with Curried Peanut Sauce...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Jacki Passmore

Ingredients:
6 ounces dried flat Chinese egg noodles
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 to 2 teaspoons Thai red curry paste
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional garnish: lime wedges, cilantro leaves

Directions:
1) Bring 1-1/2 quarts salted water to a boil. Add noodles and return to a boil. Simmer for 3-1/2 to 4 minutes, or until noodles are tender. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking water. Transfer noodles to a serving bowl.
2) Meanwhile, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, coconut milk, lime juice, coriander, curry paste, sugar and salt in a small saucepan. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring constantly until peanut butter has melted and a sauce has formed, about 3 minutes.
3) Pour sauce over noodles, tossing lightly until each noodle is coated with sauce. If sauce seems too thick, thin by adding pasta water, a spoonful at a time. Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges. Serve hot or warm. Yield: 4 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Sesame Noodles - Las Vegas Food Adventures
Braised Noodles:Mien Yee Mee - My Kitchen Snippets
Hakka Noodles - eCurry
Yue Yang Hot-Dry Noodles - Sea Salt with Food
Chinese Noodles - Cooking with Amy
Chinese Noodles with Sesame Dressing - Martha Stewart
Fried Hokkien Noodles - Christine's Recipes
Stir Fry Glass Noodles - Simple Recipes
15 Minute Asian Noodles - Steamy Kitchen
Yaki Udon - Wandering Chopsticks
Easy Rice Noodle Stir Fry: Pad Se Ew - Blazing Hot Wok
Singapore Noodles - Lily's Wai Sek Hong

Long Life Noodles - One Perfect Bite
Thai Sweet Chile Noodles - One Perfect Bite
Singapore Noodles - One Perfect Bite
Shanghai Noodles - One Perfect Bite
Thai Rice Noodles with Beef and Spinach - One Perfect Bite
Thai Rice Noodle Bowls - One Perfect Bite
Chow Fun - One Perfect Bite
Cantonese Fried Noodles - One Perfect Bite
Gingered Noodle Salad - One Perfect Bite
Chiang Mai Curry Noodles - One Perfect Bite

58 comments :

Angie's Recipes said...

One of my favourite noodle dishes! I love it with lots of peanut sauce.

Alessandra said...

This looks yummy! Something I could do quickly when the kids are starving!!!

thank you


ciao

A.

Yasmin said...

YUUUMMMMMMMM!!!!!!

I love peanuts! I'm so glad I'm not alergic!

I have always liked peanuts.

I will definately add this recipe to my collection!

Yas

Pondside said...

This is a little different from the recipe that I've used so often that I know it by heart - sounds yummy.

kitchen flavours said...

Good explanation on the Chinese and Italian noodles. I have always agree that they are not interchangeable, totally different to me.
Love your sauce, sounds yummy! Thanks for sharing.

Katerina said...

I totally agree with you. There is a big difference between Italian and Chinese noodles. This dish is so easy I can make it even during weekdays!

Sweet Snow Flakes said...

Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog. Well, your recipes are so great! I want to try lots!

Ana Powell said...

Lovely and very informative post.
Yummy noodle dish, peanut sauce is so versatile.
Have a great Sunday ♥

Ana Rita Marreiros said...

This sauce is wonderfulll....You are in a peanut mode....
And i like it!!!!

Kisses and have a nice Sunday,
Rita

Von said...

Mmmm...this looks delicious! I might just have to try this one day- I can see a lot of days I'll be home alone in the near future :) And I love the idea of no chopping! haha.....I think Chinese noodles and Italian ones are quite different too! :D

Big Dude said...

The noodles sound very tempting and your evenings activities sound good as well.

Jayanthy Kumaran said...

delicious n healthy one dish meal..
Tasty appetite

Kayte said...

Another one for my friends and I to Twitter cook together I do believe, thanks! Looks great.

Khadija El Mary said...

Thanks for the information, I always thought noodles are Chineese and did not know about the Italian version. you will laugh if I tell you I've never cooked noodles before because I don't know how! With your recipe, you make cooking these lovely noodles quite easy and doable. I love the sauce. Looks delicious!
Have a great day Mary!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Can you get these noodles in a local grocery or do I need to find an Asian market? (I feel an adventure in Chicago coming on. We had lots of Asian markets in Seattle.)

I will be making this SOON. I love peanut sauce.

I also love the information you share with your recipe - it is my favorite part and is never too long.

Fondly,
Glenda

Sutapa said...

I love noodles and yours is one that I will love to have any time!

Tasha said...

I can not resist a peanut sauce and I love how this one uses curry paste. I have all of the ingredients on hand for the sauce, but I will have to purchase the noodles. Ths is a recipe I definitely want to try soon!

Kim said...

When I will be all by myself, I will definitly try these!

Beth said...

The peanut sauce sounds wonderful. Thanks for the information on different kinds of noodles!

Kath said...

Your noodles look fantastic, Mary! I'm definitely bookmarking this one for when we need a quick and easy (and delicious) meal!

You are so right about the differences between Chinese and Italian noodles! I think Chinese noodles are available in most well-stocked grocery stores, and they're worth searching out.

Enjoy the first day of Spring today!

StephenC said...

Excellent dissertation on the noodles. I need to get some peanut butter for our pantry.

Jocie's Mom said...

Spot on. Big big difference between Italian and Chinese noodles. I try to take the easy route but sometimes...after a long day at work, I just grab whatever is at the front of the pantry. Bad form!

Great post - as usual :)

CkretsGalore said...

Going to have to try this for sure! I always keep a jar of red thai curry paste in the fridge too!

Jeannie said...

Interesting combination, I have not used peanut butter in noodles before, but we do have bbq meat (satay) eaten in spicy peanut sauce....delicious!

Unknown said...

Mary this looks fantastic! My family would just eat this up! : )

lena said...

cant imagine our asian flat noodles done in carbonara, could be weird but over here, there are people who cook the spaghetti and then stir fry them like normal fried noodles and they taste not bad and the peanut sauce here sounds really good!

pigpigscorner said...

I agree! Chinese noodles has this rather unique taste that can't be substituted with pasta. Love peanut sauce!

Deana Sidney said...

Peanut sauce is in the air these days... no wonder... it is so darn good! It's amazing on noodles and you have shared a great version of the sauce!

Cooking Creation said...

LOVE peanut sauce! I'm definitely trying this dish shortly but with the addition of chicken for my husband's sake :) Thank you for sharing! :)

Clint said...

Well...I told Cindy that Mary had finally posted a recipe I couldn't eat. She asked me what it is. I told her it is "noodles with curried peanut sauce".

She asked me if I had ever tried it. I said no. She said it is one of her favorites and I should keep my mouth shut about things I have not tried. Touche.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Thanks for all the tips Mary on the difference between noodles. You have opened my eyes to the differences.

Kerstin said...

15 min, yes please :) These sound so delicious and easy to whip up!

Jennifer said...

I love the education you give me! I have always salted my japenese/chinese noodles during cooking, no more! I just made my first curry dish the other day, I cannot wait to make this!

Reshmi Mahesh said...

Delicious and easy recipe...

Federica Simoni said...

che meraviglia..da leccarsi i baffi!! complimenti!!ciao!

Priya Suresh said...

Soo tempting noodles, makes me hungry..

Joanne said...

I am super particular about the texture of my noodles so I TOTALLY agree with you on this one! Love the peanut sauce. It's one of my favorites!

Tanna said...

Mary, one thing's for sure, you never tell me more than I want or need to know! LOL! This is my educational stop for the day. If you hadn't told me the differences between Chinese noodles and Italian pasta, I wouldn't have known what they were. I want to hear about the rib-fest! ;) Blessings ~ Tanna

The Chef In My Head said...

Love the info on the noodles, and BTW you NEVER tell us too much! All good info and this sounds like the perfect dinner for me while my husband is working late!
~Leslie

Cooking Gallery said...

Meat free and so simple to make but sounds and looks incredibly delicious...!!!! Thank you for sharing another great recipe, Mary :).

Ginny Hartzler said...

If Chinese noodles are mein, then what would Lo Mein mean? That being my favorite Chinese dish. Maybe noodles with sauce? Some good info here about noodles, I love all kinds. One kind I've never tried is cellophane, and also a kind that puffs way up when dumped in hot water.

Anonymous said...

Love the ingredients in this sauce! I can't wait to try it!

erica said...

well doesnt this just sound fabulous!

xo

Karina said...

I'd love to dig into those noodles right now! That looks so good, where's my fork?

PeggyR said...

This sounds very different. I may have to try this one.

Anonymous said...

I adore red curry peanut sauces!
Who needs noodles? I can just eat it straight from the bowl :)

Unknown said...

Red Thai curry paste is a must have ingredient in my book! Wonderful dish full of robust flavors! Wonderful!

Buttercup said...

Got to try these. One of my treats is cold sesame noodles and I generally have them once a week.

Sophie ala Mode said...

I love peanut sauce

Wendy Irene said...

Particularly the combination of curry, peanut butter, and coconut milk sounds incredibly good to me! I really enjoy the different texture and flavour of noodles from around the world. We are so blessed that they are so readably available to us. It is such a nice change of pace to go from one ethnic food to another, and it keeps life interesting! Thank you for sharing this recipe with me! :)

Ryan said...

Oh I love noodles with peanut sauce and all the better that these are easy to make! Another one of yours that I'm printing!! Thanks for the post on the difference on Italian v. Chinese noodles-- very helpful and interesting!

createwithmom said...

looks wonderfully delicious with this sauce

Unknown said...

Ooooh!! This is definitely something I would devour. I love peanut sauces...add a little curry to it.. YUM!!

jaclyn @ thelateafternoon said...

what lovely food photographs you have on your blog! they are so crisp and makes everything look so delicious! im a fan of peanut noodles dishes and will need to give this a try!

Jamie said...

Mmmmm I LOVE this! Nabbing this recipe! Thanks Mary!

June said...

I made these for dinner last night and they were delicious. I can hardly wait to make them again when the big guy's home. Thanks Mary. You're the BEST!

Kristen said...

This looks fab! On my list..

Marta said...

This popped up on the 'year ago' link and I made it today. It is wonderful! I added just a touch of fish sauce and cut the coriander a bit but otherwise made it as you wrote. I made certain I got chinese noodles - definitely made the difference.

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