Looking  for delicious recipes that you can get on the table in under 15 minutes with little fuss, andA_ELC_R_site.jpg 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!)