SESAME PEANUT SAUCE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 
• Place the sesame seeds in a pie tin and toast in the oven until light golden in color, 4 to 6 minutes, and set aside. Meanwhile, cook the pasta until al dente. Do not overcook. Drain, reserving some of the starchy pasta water, rinse and set aside.
• For the peanut dressing: Place the peanut butter in a large measuring cup and microwave to soften, 15 seconds. Whisk in with the soy sauce, vinegar, canola oil, ginger, honey, Sriracha, sesame oil and lime zest and juice in a small bowl. Thin with the starchy pasta water if needed, 1 tablespoon at a time. (Dressing should be thick, but pourable.) 
• For the salad: Place the pasta in a large mixing bowl and add the cilantro and vegetables and toss with the dressing. Top with the chopped peanuts and toasted sesame seeds and serve.

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions.
• Drain and return to pot.
• Add 2 TBSP sesame oil and toss to coat.
• Set aside.
• Heat remaining 2 TBSP sesame oil in heavy pot over medium-high heat.
• Add green onions, carrots, stir-fry veggies, garlic and ginger.
• Saute until vegetables soften, about 4 minutes.
• Add honey, peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar and chili-garlic sauce and mix well.
• Simmer sauce 2 minutes.
• Pour sauce over pasta and toss well.
• Transfer to platter and serve warm.
• Garnish with additional green onions, if desired.
• Yields 8 side dish servings or 4 main dish servings.
• **Chili-Garlicsauce can be increased or decreased depending on how spicy you like your dish.
• As written, this recipe has some heat, but is still edible for my toddler son.