Peanut Butter! The king of staple foods, it is tasty, versatile and good for you, and the power ingredient in a delicious sauce that brings huge flavor to some typical pantry items.  Peanut Butter Sesame Sauce can be sweet or spicy, and be used for noodle bowls, stir fry, veggie dip – even tacos! The basic recipe, adapted from the National Peanut Board, www.nationalpeanutboard.org) makes enough for four servings – you will want to double the recipe and store (airtight container in the refrigerator, up to 4 days) for a second delectable dinner! Check out the 10/$10 on Peter Pan Peanut Butter this week, or dive into your pantry for the PICS Peanut Butter you have on hand.

Peanut Sesame Noodle Bowls

Use any noodles in the pantry – traditional rice noodles or whatever pasta is in the cupboard! Plan for serving up to four people with these recipes.

About 7 oz. of PICS Pasta (e.g., 1/2 box of thin spaghetti) OR PICS Egg Noodles OR 7 oz. pkt rice noodles

• 2 Tbsp PICS Canola Oil
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 handfuls of fresh cilantro OR 2 Tbsp freeze-dried cilantro
• 2 cups fresh veggies of choice
• 6 Tbsp PICS Creamy or PICS Chunky Peanut Butter
• 4 Tbsp PICS Soy Sauce
• 4 Tsp Sesame Oil
• 2 Tbsp PICS Maple Syrup
• 4 Tsp Siracha hot sauce (or to taste)
• 4 Tbsp Water
• Sesame Seeds – garnish

Peanut Sesame Noodle Bowl: Cook pasta according to directions. Divide into 4 bowls, set aside. Heat oil in a sauté pan. Add green onions and garlic, sauté for 3 minutes, and move to side of pan. Add any fresh veggies you like – fresh sliced peppers, snow or sugar peas, mushrooms, broccoli, julienne carrots – all work in this dish. Sauté until crisp tender. Toss in cilantro, stir for 1 minute until fragrant. Turn off heat.  Place peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, maple syrup, and water in a microwavable bowl – heat mixture on high for one minute, stir, and heat/stir again until peanut butter melts and sauce is combined. Add Siracha to taste. Add vegetables to noodle bowl, and top with sauce and sprinkle of sesame seeds. Bonus – this noodle bowl can be served hot or cold!

Chicken Stir Fry – Heat 2 Tbsp PICS Canola Oil in saucepan, and sauté (1.5 lbs./6 Oz. serving) sliced chicken breast, thighs or shrimp until done. Set aside, add 1 Tbsp of oil if needed. Sauté fresh chopped vegetables OR a bag of  frozen PICS Grilled Peppers and Onions for a quick fix stir fry – serve with (shelf-stable or cooked/frozen) PICS Brown Rice.

Peanut Sesame Slaw Tacos – Stir fry (1.5 lbs.) chicken or shrimp, same as above. Keep some cilantro aside for garnish. Combine sliced cabbage and julienne carrots (such as bagged cole slaw mix) with chicken or shrimp in a bowl, toss with peanut sesame sauce to coat. Use as taco filling in flour tortillas with cabbage, sliced red peppers and peanut sesame sauce.

Peanuts have more protein than any other nut, and good fats to support satiety and overall health. Learn more about peanuts at the National Peanut Board website. Check out some more peanut butter recipes here and on our website!