that's what shea said • You need to make this. I mean, really. You do....

You need to make this. I mean, really. You do. Don’t like shrimp? That’s fine. Tofu would be awesome. Or chicken or beef or pork. Pick your protein.

It’s a little bit crunchy, a little bit creamy, a little bit spicy, but mostly it’s just the perfect (EASY!) weeknight dinner.

The only thing that would make it better is the accompaniment of a bottle of wine. Hypothetically speaking, of course.

Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles With Shrimp
(Adapted from Crumb)
Serves 4-6

1 lb rice noodles
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp soy sauce
1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 cups frozen Asian stir-fry veggies (usually a mix of carrots, snow peas, water chestnuts, etc.)
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup bean sprouts
1/2 cup chopped scallions

For the sauce:

1/4 cup natural chunky peanut butter (the kind with the oil on top that you have to mix in and it’s kind of gross, but just go with it)
2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup hot water

Soak rice noodles according to package instructions (typically for one hour before cooking).

Once the noodles are ready, begin preparing the sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil fish sauce, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, red pepper flakes and water. Whisk until combined and creamy. Reduce heat to low.

Meanwhile, add 1 tbsp olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat and add garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes to soften. Add shrimp and soy sauce and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side, until pink. Remove shrimp from heat and transfer to a medium sized bowl. Add veggie mix, mushrooms and bean sprouts to the skillet and cook 3-5 minutes. Transfer to the same bowl as the shrimp.

Add 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet and add the rice noodles, stirring until heated through. Add the sauce, shrimp and veggies and toss to combine. Top with scallions before serving.

Eat. Savor. Drink some wine. Nibble on a few pieces of shrimp from the pan full of leftovers. Unbutton your pants and watch an episode of Friday Night Lights.