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Pasta with Chinese veggies and thinly sliced pork tenderloin in a spicy peanut butter sauce. A Desperation Dinner made with ingredients you have on hand.
Isabelle’s focus on Crumb is cooking delicious meals from scratch using fresh ingredients. One of her most popular recipes is Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles, one of her “Desperation Dinners.”
Over the years, I’ve collected a handful of recipes that I refer to as Desperation Dinners – dishes meant for those days when I get home after a yucky day at the office and just want to get the cooking over with so I can crash on the couch for a three-hour dose of mind-numbing reality TV, or when I can’t muster up the energy to go to the grocery store for ingredients. They’re quick, they’re simple, and they require nothing that isn’t already in my pantry or freezer.
I’m often in need of a Desperation Dinner, so this recipe was the perfect fit for me. I changed up the ingredients a little bit to use what I had on hand. Isabelle said these noodles are also quite good with nothing more than noodles, sauce and a sprinkling of green onions.
The pork tenderloin was a wonderful addition to this recipe. I’ve never used it in a stir fry before and it was so tender and delicious, I will definitely be using it again in the future. When I make this recipe again, I’ll use the sauce from my Chicken Satay Noodle Salad post because I liked it just a little bit better.
Next time you’re in need of a Desperation Dinner, give this one a try.
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Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles
Ingredients
- 2 packages Top Ramen Noodles
- 2 tablespoon canola oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 lb pork tenderloin cut into thin strips
- 1 cup finely julienned carrots
- 1 cup frozen sugar snap peas
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter chunky, if possible
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- ½ cup hot water
- 1 14 oz. can fancy mixed Chinese vegetables
- ½ cup chopped green onions
Garnish
- Chopped green onions
- Chopped roasted peanuts
Instructions
- Cook noodles in water for 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a wok or large heavy-bottomed skillet, heat 1 tablespoon canola oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic, ginger and hot pepper, and stir fry for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
- Add pork strips. Continue stir frying for 4 minutes, until the pork is browned on all sides. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a small bowl.
- Add the remaining tbsp oil to the pan, then add carrots and snow peas. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes, until vegetables are tender-crisp. Transfer to the same bowl as the pork.
- Add peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar and water to the pan, and cook for a minute or two until the peanut butter melts into a smooth sauce (if the sauce looks too thick or sticky, add a tablespoon or two of water at a time until it loosens up to the desired consistency).
- Add Chinese vegetables, cooked noodles, and cook for 1-2 minutes to warm through.
- Remove from heat. Stir in the reserved pork and vegetables along with chopped green onions, and toss until evenly coated with sauce. Serve hot with a sprinkling of green onions and roasted peanuts.
Cathy35
I love spicy noodles.. I will definitely try this out later. 🙂
Lisa~~
I want to try this one, it would be a huge hit with my husband.
If you haven’t already, I’d love for you to check out my SRC entry: Broiled Sushi.
Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook
Micha @ Cookin' Mimi
This looks delicious. I’m always on the look out for easy and delicious meals that are a slight change from the usual.
natalie (the sweets life)
I’ve been meaning to make peanut noodles FOREVER! these sound fantastic!
Stephanie Rosy Walters
I’m addicted to peanut butter. When the flavor is combined with noodles, it is just amazing.
Thanks for this wonderful recipe.
-Stephanie
Becki's Whole Life
This sounds so yummy! I love some spice and I am always in on the lookout for quick and healthy meals. I would probably make this without the red pepper flakes so the kids could eat it and then add some sriracha for my own serving.
Blond Duck
Delicious!
Lynda
This is my kind of meal! Desperation meals are good to have on hand.
Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies
Totally bookmarked. Everyone could always use more “desperation dinner” go-tos, right? It looks gorgeous!
cindy
Now, if someone would just make this tonight for my dinner!
It looks delicious.
Asmita
I love the combination of flavors. A scrumptious meal!
Daisy@Nevertoosweet
I’m a strange person 😉 I dun usually like peanut butter but I always seem to like it when its used in a savoury dish ~ The noodles look lovely something I’d love to have for lunch ~
Jersey Girl Cooks
Homemade Chinese is the best! Great flavors.
baker in disguise
You call this a desperation dinner!!! Really?!?! Desperation dinner is usually eggs and bread at my place.. this is a good, wholesome meal…another easy oriental recipe after the honey garlic chicken!! thanks!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Looks so very flavourful yet light and delicious!
Shelby
New term for me and one I will probably use now…. desperation dinner! lol. LOVE it! I also love recipes like this one with that thai flair!
Lisa
This is not a desperation dinner – this is a dinner I’d be happy to make and eat at least once a week. I like how you adapted it to a sauce you preferred, and made it your own. I’m still waiting for the cookbook announcement. I guarenteed it to my BF..he wholeheartedly agreed after sifting through your blog, asking me to start using my Barbara Bakes bookmarks. 🙂
Lisa @ Sweet as Sugar Cookies
I would so enjoy that!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
That sounds great mum! And speaking of, I kind of need a desperation dinner tonight! 😛 xxx
2 sisters recipes
This sounds wonderful Barbara! Just love your recipes every time and your photos are so beautiful! Perfect for a desperate dinner this week. Thanks! 🙂