LexKook is a delightful culinary initiative founded by a passionate 16-year-old chef, B.T — a Minuteman senior with a remarkable flair for the culinary arts. The series is inspired by her volunteer work with LexEatTogether, and by her mother, also a chef.

Peanut Stir-Fry is a delightful vegetarian dish that tantalizes the taste buds with its creamy peanut-style sauce, which marries the familiar comfort of peanut butter with the exotic flair of tamarind, a versatile ingredient often featured in Southern American and Southern Asian cuisines.

The sauce offers a symphony of flavors, combining the earthy richness of peanuts with the zesty sourness of tamarind, balanced perfectly with just the right amount of sweetness, saltiness, and spice. As the sauce envelops the stir-fried vegetables, including crisp onions and tender bean sprouts, it enhances their textures and amplifies their natural flavors. 

Despite its complexity, this dish is remarkably easy to prepare, coming together in just 15 minutes, making it a convenient and satisfying option for any occasion. Whether enjoyed as a quick weeknight meal or served as part of a larger spread, Peanut Stir Fry promises to delight with its harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

  • Rice Noodle (1 Cup)
  • Peanut Butter (1 tablespoon)
  • Chili Oil (1 teaspoon)
  • Tamarind Paste (1 tablespoon)
  • Soy Sauce (1 tablespoon)
  • Salt (1 teaspoon)
  • Water (¼ cup)
  • Sugar (1 teaspoon)
  • Garlic (2 cloves)
  • Half an Onion
  • Bean Sprouts (½ cup)
  • Egg (1)

Instructions

  1. Create your own tamarind paste right in your kitchen by extracting fresh tamarind from its shell and simmering it in ⅓ cup of water over medium heat for approximately 10 minutes until the liquid reduces by half.
  2.  After removing the seeds, blend the reduced liquid with its pulp to form a watery paste bursting with flavor.
  3. Next, whip up the sauce by combining peanut butter, chili oil, homemade tamarind paste, soy sauce, water, and a pinch of salt. 
  4. Meanwhile, prepare your noodles according to the instructions on the packet, ensuring they’re slightly undercooked by about 1 minute to perfect their texture in the pan.
  5. Slice your onions and garlic thinly, then heat a medium-sized pan with some oil over medium heat. Stir-fry the onions for a minute until fragrant before adding in the bean sprouts, continuing to stir-fry for an additional 2½ minutes. 
  6. Remove this aromatic mix from the pan, then sprinkle sugar into the pan and let it caramelize for another minute on medium-low heat.
  7. Now, pour in your prepared sauce along with the noodles and garlic, stirring them together over medium heat for an additional 2 ½ minutes. 
  8. Turn off the heat, reintroduce the onions and bean sprouts to the pan, and toss everything together for a final flavorful flourish. 
  9. Finish off your masterpiece by topping it with a fried egg and a sprinkle of crushed peanuts for a delightful crunch. 
  10. Serve up this tantalizing dish and savor every mouthful of its vibrant flavors.

Join the Conversation

2 Comments

  2. Bangtam,
    I love reading your menus, but I’m not always sure where to buy the ingredients. I wonder if you could help me, who is new to cooking these cuisines, in figuring out both what to buy and where to buy it?

    I know about H-Mart yet find it overwhelming. Whenever I go looking for something particular, I typically have to ask someone to tell me where I might find an ingredient that I am unfamiliar with. Last time I did this, it took some boldness that I didn’t think I had in me to approach a man who I suspected didn’t work at H-Mart, but who looked approachable to ask where I might find a certain ingredient. It turned out he was very gracious and helped me find what I needed.

    I think a really helpful service you could provide your readers would be for ingredients which are not the standard fare of the big traditional American cousine grocery stores, to say where you purchased the ingredient and even perhaps a picture of the item and/or it’s package.

    You will be my hero, getting me out of my fear of trying out your recipes, which all sound delicious!

    Thanks,

    — Harry Forsdick

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