Dan Dan Noodles (from Food and Wine Magazine, Jan 2007)

¼ c. peanut oil

½ c. peanuts

Heat oil in sauté pan, sauté peanuts over moderate heat until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Allow to cool.

Place peanuts and oil in food processor with:

1 small jalapeno, seeded, diced and cut into small pieces; 1 clove garlic, cut in half; One ¼-inch chunk of fresh ginger root, peeled and chopped

Process until finely chopped, scraping sides if necessary. Add in:

2 ½ T. soy sauce; 2 T. water; 1 ½ T. rice vinegar; 1 T. sriracha chile sauce; 1 T. sugar; 1 t. sesame oil

Process until smooth, scraping sides as needed. Salt to taste.

Mix sauce over cooked noodles, either soft chow mein, rice sticks, thin spaghetti or other noodle of choice. Toss to coat. Garnish with cucumber sticks, chopped green onions, sesame seeds and cilantro if desired.