Bite of the Best

Looking  for delicious recipes that you can get on the table in under 15 minutes with little fuss, and big flavors. What follows are Peanut Butter (PB) recipes adapted from Express Lane Cooking®, my daily syndicated column. These originally posted on this site with our review of Santa Cruz Dark Roasted Peanut Butter.

Give ‘em a try—and let me know what you think.

Chicken Satay: Stir together 1/3 cup peanut butter, 2 T soy sauce, 2 T white or rice vinegar, 1 T lime juice, 2 minced cloves garlic, 1/2 t sesame oil and 1/4 t crushed red pepper flakes. Blend in 3 T hot water or broth. Add 1 pound cubed boneless chicken breasts and toss to coat. Thread onto metal or water-soaked bamboo skewers. Grill or broil for 4 minutes on each side until cooked through. Makes 4 servings. (Serve atop rice noodles along with a light cucumber salad and fresh fruit.)

Peanutty Soup: Mix together, in a large saucepan, 4 cups chicken broth, 1/3 cup peanut butter, 3/4 cup orzo, 2 to 4 teaspoons curry powder and 3 minced scallions. Bring to a boil, reduce heat so broth simmers and cook 5 minutes. Add an 8-ounce package snow peas and 12 ounces diced cooked chicken; cook 5 minutes more until orzo is tender and chicken is warmed. (Or you can toss in diced fresh boneless chicken breast along with the PB.) Makes 4 servings. (Serve with a good crusty bread and a lightly dressed green salad.)

Sesame Noodles with Chicken: Cook a 9-ounce package of Asian-style thin-cut noodles according to package directions; drain, rinse with water and drain again. Toss with 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Blend 1/4 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons sesame oil and, if you like it a bit spicy, 1 1/2 teaspoons hot chili oil; toss with 4 minced scallions and 1/2 pound diced cooked chicken. Spoon over noodles. Serve at room temperature along with steamed broccoli and some fresh fruit.

Thai Chicken Pizza: Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Combine 1/4 cup peanut butter, 2 tablespoons plum or apricot jelly, 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice or white vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil and a pinch of cayenne. Spread over a large precooked pizza crust (such as Boboli, found in the supermarket). Sprinkle with about 1/2 pound diced cooked chicken, then with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake 10 minutes until cheese melts and pizza is hot. If desired, sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro. Makes 4 servings. (Also tasty without the cheese!)