Sesame-Peanut Noodles

1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
5 T soy sauce
1/4 cup warm water
1-2 T grated ginger
1-2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 T rice vinegar
2 T hot Asian sesame oil
2 t brown sugar
1 t dried hot red pepper flakes
12 ounces spaghetti
4 scallions, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/8-inch-thick strips
½ cup shredded carrots
3 T sesame seeds, toasted

1. cook pasta in boiling water with a little bit of salt, until al dente. drain and set aside to cool.

2. combine peanut butter and warm water, stirring until peanut butter is mostly dissolved.

3. add soy sauce, ginger, garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, and hot pepper flakes, stirring to combine.

4. toss pasta with sauce, vegetables, and sesame seeds.

serve hot or chilled.