DUMBO – Noodles with Sesame-Peanut Sauce

Sorry it has been so long since my last dinner and a movie post!  (Where does the time go?!) I know we have been watching lots of movies, but you know how kids can be… sometimes they like to watch the same ones again and again (& again)!

I personally really love to watch the older Disney movies… I respect and admire the Pixar collection a lot… okay… I am a huge fan of the Pixar movies (Toy Story… one of the best movies EVER!) but there is something really special about the way they drew each picture frame in those older cartoons.  I still can’t believe that Snow White was made in 1937!! That’s pretty amazing.

Dumbo was originally released in 1941. I like this movie since it teaches the lesson to not judge others by the way they look… and that being different means being unique and special… being one of a kind.  And come to think of it, it also teaches forgiveness (when Dumbo has to forgive every single elephant for shunning him and turning on him – they were SO mean!)

Anyway, tonight’s meal contains one of Dumbo’s favorite foods EVER… peanuts. I’ve really been looking for the perfectly yummy yet simple noodles-in-peanut-sauce recipe.  Personally, I think these noodles are better than seeing pink elephants on parade! Well… I must say I do enjoy the occasional pink elephant… 😉  As always, if the recipe is a hit with the kids, it gets an A+ in my book and we will make it again!

Noodles with Sesame-Peanut Sauce

To make the noodles – Boil according to package.  Drain and rinse and set aside.

• 1 Package noodles (Udon, Soba, Lo Mein… just some kind of good noodle.  Usually the ones I buy are 8 oz.)

To make the sauce – Blend all together in food processor

• 2 Tbsp tahini
• 2 Tbsp natural peanut butter
• 1 1/2 tsp grated or minced fresh ginger
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 Tbsp raw sugar
• 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 2 Tbsp brown rice vinegar (or white if you don’t have the any)
• 3 Tbsp water
• 1 tsp hot chili paste (OPT.)

Toppings: Garnish with your choice of any or all of the following!

• shredded carrot
• julienned (or cut like match sticks) cucumber
• toasted sesame seeds
• chopped plain unsalted peanuts
• chopped fresh cilantro
• thinly sliced scallion or green onion

I didn’t have any hot chili paste, so we made ours without it and it was great.  We also skipped the scallion/onions cause we didn’t have any. We set it up like a line where we could pick our toppings since we don’t all like the same things.

What can I say… I got lucky on this recipe because it turned out just how I wanted it on the first try! We will definitely be eating this a few times a month. It only took me about 20 minutes to whip it up from start to finish and the kids taking part in “making” theirs!

Hmmm… These noodles would be great to take on a picnic since the temperature doesn’t really matter and the ingredients don’t spoil easily. Would you agree? Maybe I will be putting that theory to the test today! It is a beautiful Saturday outside!…