Dan Dan Noodles for Heather

I have had a request to publish my recipe for Dan Dan Noodles. I made this a long time ago and one of my daughter's best friends remembers it and liked it. I told her I gave up making it because so many people are allergic to peanuts. So here's my recipe for you, Heather.

Ingredients:
1 cup beef stock
4 peppercorns
1/2 green onion sliced
1 Tbsp hot bean sauce
2 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
4 cloves of  garlic diced
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp sesame oil
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
8 oz spaghetti noodles cooked al dente
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
3 scallions sliced lengthwise

Preparation:
Mix all of the ingredients in food processor blend until you get a creamy paste.Toss noodles with paste and garnish with peanuts and scallions.

Apple Raisin Salad

This recipe is one I have adapted from a salad my neighbor makes. It is super healthy and very filling.

Ingredients: 
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp honey
1 head of Bib lettuce, torn into bite sized pieces
1 Fuji apple cored and sliced
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup glazed walnuts chopped
1/2 sliced avocado

Preparation: 
Combine first 5 ingredients. Using immersion blender, emulsify the dressing. Combine lettuce, apple, raisins in salad bowl. Top with nuts and avocado. Drizzle generously with dressing and serve.

                     

Spicy Pasta

This is my go to dish when I have not defrosted anything. It is simple to make and I always get rave reviews.This dish contains Prosciutto. If you get Open Nature brand, it only contains pork and sea salt and only pork raised without antibiotics.

Ingredients: 
3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic,minced
4 oz package of Open Nature prosciutto diced
1 14.5 oz can of petite diced tomatoes
1 tsp crushed red  pepper
8 oz of fettuccine cooked al dente
4 oz grated  Parmesan cheese

Preparation: 
Saute garlic and onion in olive oil until golden. Add prosciutto and cook until browned. Add tomatoes and crushed red pepper. Cook for about ten minutes. Serve over pasta with the cheese.

Tip: Vary the crushed red pepper to taste. One teaspoon is very spicy. Start with a smaller amount and work your way up.You can always supply extra crushed red pepper at the table