Peanut Sesame Pasta

I only have macaroni in my fridge, so...

E and i were at Kem Chicks (a gourmet lifestyle supermarket at Jakarta). We were at pasta section. And i asked E,
Me : Do you like pasta?
E : Umm..Yes.
Me : Do you like peanut butter?
E : Sure i do.
Me : Have you ever consider to mix them together?
E : ....... What??Are u sure?That sounds.... weird.

Yeah. That's what i'm thinking too when i read this recipe from Smitten Kitchen, one of my favorite blog. Seriously, you can add peanut butter in pasta? And does it even edible?

I read the recipe over again, it looked like it easy to make, and i have most the ingredients on hand (minus sesame oil). So, what the hell. I tried them. And it no doubt become my favorite pasta! By the time i post this, i've made this pasta again and again. And again.. Oh, how i love you SK!

Peanut Sesame Noodle (or pasta)
from Smitten Kitchen

Servings: Makes 6 side-dish or 4 vegetarian main-course servings.

For peanut dressing
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup warm water
1 tablespoon chopped peeled fresh ginger
1 medium garlic clove, chopped
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons Asian toasted sesame oil*
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes or a splash of the hot sauce or chili paste of your choice

For noodles
3/4 lb dried soba nooodles (dried linguine fini or spaghetti will work in a pinch)
4 scallions, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/8-inch-thick strips
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/8-inch-thick strips
Half a seedless cucumber, thinly sliced
1 cup firm or extra-firm tofu, cubed
3 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

Pour dressing ingredients in a blender until smooth, about 2 minutes, then transfer to a large bowl.

Cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until tender. Drain in a colander, then rinse well under cold water.

Add pasta, scallions, bell peppers, cucumber and tofu to dressing, tossing to combine. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and serve immediately.

It's damn easy, right? You can make this in the morning for your lunch. Well, i did :D

*Substitution for sesame oil (for 1 tbsp) : 1 1/2 tsp sesame seeds saute in 1/2 tsp vegetable oil