SPRING

Easy Sesame Peanut Noodles

Serve this better-than-takeout noodle dish warm or cold.

Serves 4

12 ounces thin spaghetti

¾ cup peanut butter

½ cup bottled Asian sesame dressing

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1 cup carrots, shredded

1 cup cucumber (from about ½ cucumber), finely chopped or shredded

2 scallions, thinly sliced

½ cup peanuts, chopped

½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Scoop out about ½ cup cooking water just before pasta is cooked through.

2. While pasta cooks, combine peanut butter, sesame dressing and coconut oil in a large serving bowl. Add pasta cooking water to thin the peanut butter and blend the mixture. Drain pasta; rinse in cold water. Add spaghetti to peanut sauce; toss to blend. Refrigerate 1 hour until cool, if desired. Toss with remaining ingredients before serving.

TIP: Commercial peanut butter makes a creamier sauce than natural varieties.