Welcome to the blog and thanks for taking the time to stop by on another Meatless Monday. We support this great movement because it promotes green living through choosing eco-friendly meat-free food choices one day per week in support of personal and planetary health. A small sacrifice for a great reward.

photo courtesy of katieleehome.com

In respect of Chinese New Year which is fast approaching, on the menu today is a traditional Long Life Noodle recipe. In China, noodle dishes are served in celebration of birthdays and for Chinese new year as they signify a long life for those eating them so the noodles cannot be cut….the longer, the better. This recipe comes courtesy of katieleehome.com and it’s a quick and easy take on this traditional dish. This recipe serves 4-6 but can be adjusted as needed so let’s get cooking.
 
Ingredients
• 1?2 cup creamy salted peanut butter
• 1?3 cup soy sauce
• 1?4 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 cup snow peas, thinly sliced
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 4 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1 pound soba noodles or spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1?4 cup minced cilantro 

Directions
1. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, lime juice, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Stir constantly until the peanut butter melts. Remove from the heat and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the snow peas, carrots, red bell pepper, and scallions.
3. Cook the noodles until al dente in a large pot of salted boiling water. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water. Stir the noodles into the vegetable mixture and add the peanut sauce. If sauce is too thick, add a little cooking water. Garnish with sesame seeds and cilantro.

If you want to learn more about the eco-friendly Meatless Monday movement, you can visit their website at meatlessmonday.com.  

Enjoy and kung hei fat choy!