May 2nd, 2012
What’s Cooking? Peanut Rice Noodles, a Spicy Kick, Add Ground Pork and Shredded Veggies, Easy, Gluten Free
I have tons of cookbooks, magazines, and all those books you can pick up, at check-out counters, as well. I usually read them like a novel. If I see too many ingredients, forget it. I want something that is easy, different, and flavorful.
So, here is one of those recipes. This recipe is to be served at room temperature.
Don’t get scared about the jalapenos because the other ingredients in the dish will balance the spicy heat.
Peanut Rice Noodles, a Spicy Kick, Add Ground Pork and Shredded Veggies
1/2 lb. dried wide rice noodles. (The ones for pad thai)
1 tablespoon Asian sesame oil
3/4 lb. ground pork (I like it better with the pork, but other ground meat can be substituted.)
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter, preferably natural (read ingredients if you have a gluten allergy)
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce (bought at grocery store)
1 or 2 jalapenos, depending the degree of heat you prefer (finely chopped, and seeded)
2 medium carrots. (I got lazy and bought the already shredded ones.)
2 medium size yellow squash or zucchini, grated (I bought one of each.)
2/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint
juice of 1 lime
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. You can add Kosher salt to it. I did not. Add rice noodles, which by the way, I cut in half before adding to the boiling water. Easier that way. Cook for about 5 minutes and stir often. Drain, rinse under cold water and leave in colander.
Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook, stirring to break up the meat, until just cooked through. Set aside. Note: If you want to add a little bit of salt, do so, but, again, I did not.
In a large bowl, whisk the peanut butter, vinegar, fish sauce, the remaining 1 tsp. oil, and 3 tablespoons of warm water to help the peanut butter soften.
Add pork, jalapenos, carrots, squash, mint, and noddles.
Squeeze the lime over the whole dish.
Note: To make the dish prettier, just garnish it with extra mint.
Serve at room temperature and enjoy…..make it your own!!
Note: I really had not made this recipe before. And…what would I have done differently? Probably add a bit more rice vinegar. It got good reviews from my family members.
Tags: a Spicy Kick, gluten free recipe, Ground Pork & Shredded Veggies, Peanut Rice Noodles, Recipe
