**This recipe contains nuts**
With the New Year upon us, I am sure that everyone has some resolutions they wish to achieve. Let one of them be the habit of being prepared – this is where meal prep comes in. Sesame & Spice is exactly what it sounds like: a nutty and fatty sauce with a kick of spice from the chilli oil and freshness from the vegetables. These strands of deliciousness deepen in flavour over time, making them perfect for meal preps!
Tools:
An electric kettle
A medium mixing bowl
Ingredients:
1 ½ tbsp of peanut butter
1 ½ tbsp of Chinese chilli oil
1-2 pieces of finely grated garlic
1 tbsp of light soy sauce
2 tbsp of black vinegar
1-2 tbsp of hot water
Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish
Cucumber, sliced thinly
Bean sprouts, rinsed thoroughly
A protein of your choice: pork, chicken, shrimp, etc.
A noodle of your choice: vermicelli, soba, ramen, udon, etc.
Instructions:
- Use the kettle to boil the water.
- Combine the peanut butter, chilli oil, grated garlic, light soy sauce and black vinegar in a bowl.
A trick for grating garlic: Dice your garlic into small pieces, sprinkle a bit of salt, and use the flat side of your knife to scrape and mix the salt and garlic until it becomes a paste!
- Gradually add hot water until it reaches your desired consistency – aim for a semi-thick consistency, which should take 1 to 1 ½ tbsp of hot water. Avoid over-thinning the sauce as we want some thickness for the noodles to hold.
- Cook the bean sprouts, protein and noodles of your choice (e.g. flat noodles, egg noodles, udon).
- Combine everything and add your sesame seeds, sliced green onions and cucumbers for garnish.
This is my go-to recipe for those busy weeks when I do not have much time to cook. It is satiating and delicious in every way. You can add a protein like shrimp, chicken or pork, or more vegetables like carrots, bok choy or radish to increase the nutrient value. If you’d like more spice, add extra chilli oil. If you desire a nuttier kick, add more peanut butter or sesame seeds. This dish can also be enjoyed cold in case you bring the dish to go. I hope you enjoy!
