Peanut Butter and Greens Soup

(recipe from online, not sure where)

1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. olive oil (I use canola)
1 tsp. fresh ginger, minced
6 cups vegetable broth
2 tomatoes, diced
1 bunch collard greens, cut or torn into strips or small pieces (I used kale)
1/3 tsp. cumin
dash cayenne pepper
1/3 tsp salt
1 cup peanut butter
2 Tbsp. lemon or lime juice

Sautee the onion and garlic in oil for about 3 minutes, or until onions start to turn clear and soft.  Add ginger and heat one more minute.  Add broth, tomatoes, greens, cumin, cayenne and salt and allow to cook for about 15 minutes.

Carefully add the peanut butter, and stir well to combine.  Allow to cook until the peanut butter is melted and incorporated.  Drizzle with lime juice just before serving.

(What a simple preparation, and unusual soup!  I brought this for work lunches, and it kept getting better and better each day.  Very light.  I liked to add a bit more cayenne to each serving.)

Sesame-Peanut Noodles

(recipe from WholeFoodsMarket.com)

Serves 4.

1 (8-oz.) pkg. 100% whole grain soba noodles
2 cups snow peas, strings removed (I used snap peas, and I roughly chopped them.)
2 Tbsp. roasted, unsalted, unsweetened smooth peanut butter or almond butter
2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
1 Tbsp. tamari or soy sauce
1 Tbsp. sesame tahini
1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 cup sliced green onions
3 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds

Cook soba noodles according to package directions.  Add snow peas with 1 minute cooking time remaining.  Drain noodles and snow peas thoroughly.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together peanut butter, vinegar, tamari, tahini and crushed red pepper.  Add a splash of warm water if needed to thin the sauce so it will coat the vegetables and noodles.  Add noodles, snow peas, carrots, bell pepper, green onions, and sesame seeds.  Toss to coat noodles and vegetables thoroughly with sauce.  Serve at room temperature or chilled.

(I actually doubled the sauce for this, I think because I had a little more vegetables than called for.  This is a simple salad, but it has a nice taste.  Perfect to bring for work lunches.  Nice for the summer.)