Servings: 5

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 oz Pasta (preferably linguine)
• 2 cups Broccoli florets
• 3 cups Cherry Tomatoes
• GARNISH: Chopped scallion (optional)

SZECHWAN PEANUT DRESSING:

• 1/3 cup Peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
• 1/2 cup Hot vegetable stock or water
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Safflower oil
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon Dry crushed red pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente.
2. While the pasta is cooking, steam the broccoli florets until tender.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together peanut butter and hot vegetable stock or water until smooth.
4. Stir in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, safflower oil, minced garlic, and dry crushed red pepper to the peanut butter mixture to make the Szechwan peanut dressing.
5. When the pasta is cooked, drain it well.
6. Pour the Szechwan peanut dressing over the pasta and toss to coat the pasta evenly.
7. Add the steamed broccoli florets and cherry tomatoes to the pasta. Toss again to combine all the ingredients.
8. Garnish the dish with chopped scallions, if desired.
9. Serve the Szechwan Peanut Pasta warm as a main dish or side dish.

Note:

• To add more spice, adjust the amount of dry crushed red pepper in the dressing to suit your taste preferences.
• The Szechwan Peanut Dressing can also be used as a warm topping on steamed vegetables such as green beans, broccoli, or cauliflower.
• Make extra dressing and refrigerate it to use later as a sauce on chilled steamed green beans or broccoli for a refreshing cold salad option.

Here are some variations of the Szechwan Peanut Pasta recipe:

1. Spicy Thai Peanut Pasta: Replace the Szechwan peanut dressing with a Thai-inspired peanut sauce. To the peanut butter, add coconut milk, lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and red curry paste. Adjust the flavors to balance the sweetness, tanginess, and spiciness according to your taste.
2. Sesame Noodle Salad: Instead of broccoli and cherry tomatoes, add thinly sliced cucumber, bell peppers, and carrots to the pasta. Create a dressing using peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, and crushed red pepper flakes. Toss the vegetables and noodles in the dressing and garnish with toasted sesame seeds.
3. Peanut Pesto Pasta: Prepare a classic basil pesto with garlic, fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Blend the pesto with peanut butter to give it a unique twist. Toss the pesto with the cooked pasta and add blanched green beans and cherry tomatoes.
4. Ginger Peanut Noodles: Enhance the peanut dressing with grated fresh ginger and a splash of lime juice. Add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and snap peas to the cooked pasta. Top with chopped cilantro and crushed peanuts for added flavor and texture.
5. Peanut Pad Thai: Use rice noodles instead of linguine and create a Pad Thai-inspired sauce with peanut butter, tamarind paste, fish sauce (or soy sauce for a vegetarian option), brown sugar, and chili flakes. Add bean sprouts, green onions, and tofu or shrimp to the noodles.
6. Spicy Peanut Soba Noodles: Substitute the linguine with soba noodles and prepare a spicy peanut dressing using peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, Sriracha sauce, and a touch of honey. Mix the cooked soba noodles with blanched broccoli and edamame for a protein-packed dish.