Snow Peas with Toasted Sesame Seeds

I Heart Cooking Clubs is featuring a new chef. After a fond farewell to Ellie Krieger, we are cooking from the recipes of Australian chef Curtis Stone. I didn't really know a lot about Mr. Stone, but after looking at his website Curtis Stone, I was intrigued. I don't own any of his books, but his web site is very generous....lots of recipes are available. 

It's been a couple of very busy weeks. I didn't think I would have time to post this week, but there are a lot of fresh, tasty and easy recipes available. I chose a side dish. The recipe is found here: Snow Peas with Toasted Sesame Seeds.  This is the second time I have ever cooked with snow peas. They are a new favorite of mine. I already had most of the ingredients on hand. All I needed to do was purchase the snow peas and shallots. The most time consuming part of the dish is stringing the snow peas. Otherwise, it comes together quickly as a stir-fry. 

I served this yummy dish with Jane Brody's Stovestop BBQ Chicken, one of our favorite chicken dinners. 

Go to IHCC to see all the other tasty ways other cooks are welcoming Curtis Stone to I Heart Cooking Clubs. 

Aromatic Noodles with Lime-Peanut Sauce

In honor of St. Paddy's Day, it's Green Eating week at I Heart Cooking Clubs.  For this Irish holiday, I chose a dish featuring Asian flavors. Lots of green veggies and pasta are flavored with peanut sauce.  Originally, I was going to make this dish in February for our pasta themed week, but the snow peas and sugar snaps looked rather sad. 
So I waited. One month later, the veggies are green and crisp.  Ellie describes the vegetables as a "refreshing yin to the yang of the rich, spicy peanut sauce." Very true.

I've made many versions of peanut noodles, but this version is really good. The use of natural peanut butter and roasted peanuts give the sauce a deep, nutty flavor that is not too sweet. The addition of veggies make this a meal in a bowl.

 

The recipe can be found in The Food You Crave by Ellie Krieger or on the Food Network website.  You can also find more green eating at IHCC.