As T:ime Goes By: March 2011

Relentless rain is coming down here in our little corner of GA. So in the midst of cooking and cleaning, here I am blogging. It has been way too long. My blog reader is a mess. With numbers like "25" unread beside some blogs.

Misc. #1

A steamy pot of boiling water is on the stove awaiting some spaghetti that will turn into sesame noodles for tonight's supper. It sounded comforting and the loads of veggies sound so delicious. Try it girls. If you don't think you will like it, open a bottle of sesame oil and smell. If that doesn't make you want to try it, I don't know what will.

Sesame Noodles

1 lb. Spaghetti or Japanese noodles (I prefer Vita-spelt spaghetti-yum)

Shredded Cooked Chicken-optional

Sugar Snap peas or Snow Peas cut on the diagonal

1-2 red or yellow bell pepper cut into thin strips (I adore red in this)

2-4 carrots cut into matchsticks

thinly sliced cabbage (any kind of green)

Any veggies that hit the spot would be fine. You can also add more or less of any of the veggies above.

Sauce

1/2 cup smooth Sun butter (substitute peanut butter if preferred)

1-2 cloves of garlic

1 jalapeño pepper-optional (remove seeds for less heat)

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup rice vinegar

2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

1-2 tsp. of sugar-optional (we always blend and taste without the sugar and then add if needed)

peanut butter is sweeter than sunbutter, so you may not need or want the added touch of sweet.

1/4 tsp. salt

Place these ingredients in a blender and mix until well blended.

Pour sauce over noodles and veggies. Serve immediately or chill.

If you are not familiar with these ingredients, the sauce may seem strong. Once you add to the veggies, the flavors mellow out. I think it tastes better if made ahead and chilled, but don't let that keep you from making it if you don't have time to chill.

Misc. #2

Painted the hall bath a couple of months ago. Still working on some accessories and a few updates. It looks teal, but it is a smoky gray--a little blueish. The color is one I mixed myself from several that we had. Unless something changes I am using my yellow tree photograph in there.