Spicy Thai Noodles

Notes

It’s like eating really great takeout but so much better!
Add as much heat as you want – add it little by little. You can always add, but you can’t take it away!
This meal comes together so quickly it’s really a perfect weeknight meal.
Make extra – it’s really, really good the next day.

	Asian noodles of any kind (I like the Lo Mein or rice noodles. Angel Hair or spaghetti would work too if that is what you have on hand.)
	½ cup oil (Sesame oil works best but grapeseed or olive oil is fine.)
	2 bell peppers, any color, sliced into thin bite-sized pieces
	1 small onion, thinly sliced
	2 carrots, peeled and cut into thin bite-size pieces
	4-6 cloves of garlic, minced
	Protein of your choosing (You can omit if you want to make this a veggie dish. I like to use thinly sliced pork chops or chicken, shrimp and beef are good, too.)
	Flour for dredging
	½ cup peanuts, chopped
	½ cup green onions, chopped
	Salt and pepper to taste
	SPICY SAUCE
	1/3 cup soy sauce
	1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
	2 tablespoons sesame oil – grapeseed would work but it's not as flavorful
	2 tablespoons honey
	2 tablespoons gochujang (You can use sriracha sauce or a chili paste if you have that handy.)

1.	SPICY SAUCE
2.	Combine all ingredients into a mason jar, cover with lid and shake until blended. You can also combine in bowl and whisk together.
3.	Taste and add additional gochujang or honey to reach your desired heat level.
4.	NOODLES
5.	Prepare noodles per the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
6.	Heat 1-2 tbsp oil in pan. While the oil is heating, lightly dredge pork or beef in flour, seasoned with salt and pepper. If using shrimp or chicken, you can skip this step.
7.	Add meat to hot pan and cook for a few minutes on each side until it is almost cooked through. Remove the meat from the pan and set aside.
8.	Add about 1 TBSP oil to same pan and add peppers and onions.
9.	Cook until onions are translucent and peppers begin to get soft. 4-6 minutes.
10.	Add garlic and cook another 1-2 minutes.
11.	Add both the meat and noodles to the pan and mix together.
12.	Pour the sauce into the pan and toss everything together.
13.	Remove from heat and add peanuts and green onions.