SPAGHETTI WITH CUCUMBER AND SPICY PEANUT SAUCE

from epicurious.com

Beth's notes: I substituted vinegar for lemon juice, green chilis for dried hot pepper flakes, and maple syrup for sugar. It was delish!

• 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon dried hot pepper flakes, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 6 ounces spaghetti
• 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut diagonally into 1/8-inch slices
• 1/3 cup thinly sliced scallion

In a blender, blend peanut butter, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic, red hot pepper flakes, sugar, and 1/4 cup hot water until the sauce is smooth. Boil the spaghetti until it is just tender, drain it in a colander, and rinse it briefly under cold water. Drain spaghetti well, transfer to a bowl, and toss it with the sauce, cucumber, scallion, and salt and pepper to taste. Serice the pasta at room temperature.

Serves 2.

Gourmet
January 1990