saucy garlic peanut noodles with sesame sweet potatoes

It is probably pretty obvious, but we really love peanut butter over here —I use it in countless recipes. This dish was inspired first by Chinese-style cold sesame noodles, which became a Chinese American staple in the United States in the 1970s, when they were often made with peanut butter because sesame paste was harder to come by. Here, I toss still-warm noodles in a spicy, slightly salty, creamy peanut sauce, but they’re just as good cold the next day. The ginger and garlic are KEY and add all the flavor here, so don’t be shy with either. And then, as the sweet potatoes roast, the honey caramelizes on the edges, creating the perfect crisp on the outside while the inside gets soft. Want the truth? The sweet potatoes alone are reason enough to make this recipe. My best piece of advice is to double them. They’re like candy—you won’t be able to stop eating them

Good

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Step 2

2. On a rimmed baking sheet, combine the sweet potatoes, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, 1 tablespoon of the honey, and a pinch of salt. Arrange the potatoes in an even layer. Roast, flipping halfway through, until the potatoes are softened and sticky, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the potatoes from the oven, add the sesame seeds and a pinch of red pepper flakes, and toss to coat.

Step 3

3. In a medium bowl, toss the kale with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Add the kale to the baking sheet with the potatoes. Return to the oven and roast until the kale is wilted, 5 minutes more.

Step 4

4. Meanwhile, in a blender or food processor, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sambal oelek, ginger, garlic, and the remaining 2 tablespoons honey. Blend until smooth, adding water, 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed to thin the sauce.

Step 5

5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the noodles and cook according to the package directions. Drain, then return the noodles to the pot. Pour the sauce over the hot noodles and toss to coat.

Step 6

6. To serve, divide the noodles among bowls. Top with the sweet potatoes and kale. Sprinkle on the peanuts and green onions (if using), and more red pepper flakes, if desired.