Thai Beef with Rice Noodles

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Another wonderful dish that comes together quickly. This is delicious even as leftovers. The textures are wonderful- silky sauce, crunchy peanuts, chewy noodles, fresh carrots. The flavors are a little salty, sweet and tons of fresh with the lime, carrots and ginger that pops through. Play around with the type of protein you use. Beef is traditional, but I think ground pork or chicken would be delicious as would tofu or shrimp.

Tips:

• I love rice noodles, they have a wonderful chewy texture, but any noodle would work or even jasmine or sushi rice.

• Thai chili sauce is a great condiment and quickly allows you to make a sauce. You can buy it sweet or hot, so adjust the heat according to your palette.

Thai Beef with Rice Noodles

Serves 6

PREP 25 minutes

COOK 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1-16 oz. package rice noodles

1 lb. lean ground beef

4 tablespoons sesame oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon ginger, minced

2 limes, divided

1 cup water

1 cup sweet Thai chili sauce

1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari

3 carrots, peeled into ribbons

1/2 cup unsalted peanuts, chopped

Garnish: torn mint, basil, chopped jalapeño and/or scallion

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cook the rice noodles according to the package. Use the sauté directions which usually require you to soak the noodles in really hot tap water for 25 minutes. Drain the noodles and set aside as you prepare the rest of the dish.

2. In a large sauté pan heat the sesame oil until it is simmering in the pan. Add the ground beef and cook until the beef is cooked through. Add the garlic and ginger and saute until you smell the garlic, about another minute.

3. Add to the beef the sauce- juice of one lime, water, chili sauce, and soy sauce. Bring the sauce to a boil and add the noodles. Toss the rice noodles into the sauce as the sauce thickens and the noodles get a little more pliable. Cook for a few minutes, continuing to toss the noodles with tongs, making sure to coat them all.

4. Portion out the noodles into 6 bowls. Add some carrot ribbons, peanuts, a wedge of lime and some of your garnish to eat bowl.