The House Favorite

You know that meal you can always make and everyone in the house will be happy? This is that meal around these parts.

Cold Sesame Noodles (from Bon Appetit)

3 TBSP soy sauce
2 TBSP rice vinegar
1/2 tsp dried hot red pepper flakes
2 TBSP packed brown sugar
1/2 C creamy peanut butter
1 TBSP sesame oil
1 tsp grated peeled fresh ginger
1/2 C chicken broth
1 lb linguine
chopped scallions
cucumber strips

1. In a saucepan, combine first 8 ingredients. Simmer the mixture, stirring until it is thickened and smooth, and let cool slightly.

2. Cook the noodles al dente, drain and rinse with cold water. Drain well, transfer to a bowl and toss with sauce. Serve at room temperature and garnish with scallions and cucumbers.

Cook the sauce carefully. As it thickens, it gets like napalm. Let it start out simmering but turn it down as it gets thick. Don't use low-fat peanut butter, it won't hold together properly. I also got ginger in a tube so I don't have to peel and grate. Works wonderfully. You can also use lo mein noodles if you'd rather. These are great cold or room temperature. They are great to take for lunch the next day. I would also bet you could use vegetable broth if you are vegetarian.

Thai Beef Salad (from Bon Appetit)

3 TBSP fresh lime juice
2 1/2 TBSP vegetable oil
2 1/2 TBSP sesame oil
2 TBSP nam pla (fish sauce)
2 tsp grated lime peel
8 oz thinly sliced roast beef
4 C thinly sliced romaine lettuce
6 radishes, thinly sliced
4 scallions, thinly sliced

1. Whisk first 5 ingredients in a small bowl to blend. Season dressing with salt and pepper.

2. Combine beef, lettuce, radishes and scallions in a large bowl; toss with enough dressing to coat. Pass remaining dressing with salad.

This is great if you have leftover steak or roast but I usually just buy a small portion of top round and grill it up quickly. You can usually find nam pla in the "Asian Food" aisle near the soy sauce and oyster sauce. Follow the recipe for the dressing and then taste it and adjust. I like a more tart dressing so I use more lime juice and I like the flavor of the nam pla. You may not. The nam pla is fairly salty, so you may not need much salt.

This recipe has been a hit with everyone for whom I have made it. Although my Dad didn't like the dressing. My son not only eats but requests the noodles. He also likes the dressing on his cucumbers.