Rice Noodles with Peanut Sauce
8 oz. uncooked rice stick noodles
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. grated ginger root
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
1/2 cup chicken broth or water
4 oz. canned bean sprouts
1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips
2 med. green onions, sliced
2 Tbsp. Chopped fresh cilantro, if desired
Heat 2 quarts of water to boiling. Break noodles in half and pull apart slightly; drop into boiling water. Cook uncovered 1 minute; drain, rinse with cold water; drain. Mix peanut butter, soy sauce, gingerroot and red pepper flakes in small bowl with wire whisk until smooth. Gradually mix in broth. Place noodles in large bowl. Add peanut butter mixture, bean sprouts, bell pepper, and onions, toss. Sprinkle with cilantro. Serves six.
Baked Ziti with Sausage and Spinach
8 oz. sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
3 garlic cloves, minced
28 oz. tomato sauce
14.5 oz. diced tomatoes
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 cups water
12 oz. Ziti
6 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil or 1 Tbsp. dried basil
7 oz. baby spinach, chopped coarse
6 oz. mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
8 oz. ricotta cheese
Cook sausage in Dutch oven over medium high heat, breaking up pieces with spoon, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and their juice, salt, oregano, sugar and pepper flakes.
Bring mixture to boil, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in water, pasta, and basil. Increase heat to medium and simmer vigorously, uncovered, until pasta is still very firm, but just starting to soften, 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently. Adjust oven rack 8 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Remove Dutch oven from heat and stir in spinach, 3/4 cup mozzarella, and 1/2 cup Parmesan. Dollop surface of pasta, evenly with spoonfuls of ricotta topped with remaining 3/4 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup Parmesan. Broil ziti until cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining fresh basil and serve. Serves 4-6.
