Probably the best and worst thing about where I live is the close proximity to takeout. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the convenience of walking to grab fried rice, a burrito, a bloody mary or whatever else I may crave on any given day. But, as a twenty-something still on a limited budget, it can start to take its toll on my bank account.
I probably call my favorite Thai place once per week to order, “#36 Peanut Sauce Noodle”. It is the only thing on the menu I don’t have to special order, which I know can be a real pain for the people I’m on the phone with, and it has become one of my weeknight staples. However, we all know I start thinking about whether or not I could make it myself. So, I had to give it a shot.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup natural peanut butter (I used Smuckers, natural is important here)
13.5 oz. can of unsweetened coconut milk
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup sesame seed oil
1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp. Garlic
1 Tbsp. Lime Juice
1 tsp. Sriracha (I actually used 2 Tbsp. because I like mine spicy, but if you don’t stick to just 1 tsp.)
1 lb. beef (I used plain stew meat)
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
16 oz. bag of frozen vegetables of your choice (I also added an extra can of baby corn, because it’s my favorite)
14 oz. stir fry or rice noodles – cooked according to package
Combine peanut butter and coconut milk in a saucepan. It will be lumpy, but don’t let that scare you. Also note, the coconut milk is lumpy in the can, that is normal.
Once the peanut butter and coconut milk has combined and is smooth, add soy sauce, water, sesame oil, lime juice and garlic. Bring to a simmer. Add your Sriracha to taste.
When finished, your sauce may still have a few little lumps, mine dissolved when I mixed it with my veggies and meat.
In a separate skillet, add the meat with the vegetable oil and cook until all liquid has dissolved and the meat is cooked through. Add veggies and cook until they reach your desired tenderness.
Add the noodles to your meat and vegetable mixture, pour peanut sauce and mix until everything is well coated.
I knew for a fact before even attempting this, that I would like the takeout version better. My assumption was dead on, but this is a great substitute for those nights I just cannot bring myself to walk a whole 5 blocks.
