Soba Noodles with Peanut Sauce

Peanut sauce is, in general, whether it's vegan or not, really really really bad for you. Aside from the peanut butter, which is positively brimming with calories and saturated fat despite its fantastic deliciousness, coconut milk is often used to make the sauce smooth and silky...bringing on some epic indulgence. Lame! I freakin' love peanut sauce and therefore, reject that I can never have it!

Thus, I present my girlish-figure-preserving vegan peanut sauce. Keep in mind that it's still an indulgence but that it's MUCH better than the stuff you get at your fave Thai restaurant. Save that for special/I-don't-give-a-crap-right-now occasions.

Bring a pot of water to boil for your soba noodles.*

Meanwhile, in a sauce pot, heat a small dash of peanut or canola oil over medium heat (be mindful of your oil dashing or your sauce will be slick and gross). Then, add:
1 or 2 big shallots, minced
2-10 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbs ginger, minced

Sautee this fragrant mixture briefly, being sure not to burn the garlic then add:
1-1 1/2 cup peanut butter (go natural and stay away from hydrogenated oils...they separate)
1/2 cup lime juice
1 tbs honey, agave nectar, or sugar (more or less to taste)

Combine over low heat. The peanut butter will melt but slowly. Be patient while things come together, then add enough water to achieve your desired consistency. Thick is good but not TOO thick...fear not if you overstep the moisture situation 'cause you can just add more peanut butter. Stir it up, then turn the heat to waaaaay low while you work the noodles.

Drop a package of soba into your boiling water and cook for about 4 minutes. Test a noodle and boil for one more minute, then test again. Boil 1 minute, then test. Why? Cause overcooked noodles suck. When they're done, dump out the water and immediately rinse the noodles with cold water. Don't skip this step or the soba will keep cooking and thus, get soft and gross! Ew.

Rinse them, dump them on a plate, pour the entire pot of sauce over the top, toss.

Eat.

*Soba is a thin Japanese noodle made from buckwheat flour. You can use regular spaghetti if you can't find them, but you should be able to. I like Koyo Organic Soba. It's cheap and yummy.

(pretty photo taken from here)