Fine Cooking Magazine - November/December 2020

Servings: 4

You may not expect bright, Asian-inspired flavors to be paired with Italian rotini pasta, but it’s a great choice for holding onto the sauce.

Ingredients

Kosher salt
12 oz. rotini
1-1/2 Tbs. Asian sesame oil
5 medium scallions, thinly sliced, whites and greens separated
2 Tbs. minced fresh ginger
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. ground pork
3 Tbs. soy sauce
2 Tbs. unseasoned rice vinegar
1 Tbs. sambal oelek or other Asian chile paste; more to taste
1 Tbs. granulated sugar
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter, preferably natural
2/3 cup lower-salt chicken broth
1 medium lime, cut into 4 wedges
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Calories (kcal) : 800
Fat Calories (kcal): 320
Fat (g): 36
Saturated Fat (g): 9
Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 8
Monounsaturated Fat (g): 15
Cholesterol (mg): 65
Sodium (mg): 1460
Carbohydrates (g): 79
Fiber (g): 6
Protein (g): 43

Preparation

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini and cook according to package directions until al dente.

Meanwhile, heat a 12-inch heavy-duty skillet over medium heat. Add the oil, then the scallion whites. Cook, stirring, until softened, about 1 minute. Add the ginger and garlic and cook, stirring for 30 seconds.
Crumble in the pork and cook, stirring occasionally, until it loses its pink color, about 5 minutes. Stir in the soy sauce, vinegar, sambal oelek, and sugar and cook until bubbling. Add the peanut butter and stir until incorporated. Pour in the broth, stir well, and bring to a simmer. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, drain the pasta, and return it to the pot. Stir in the pork mixture and scallion greens. Thin the sauce with the pasta water, if necessary. Divide among plates or bowls, squeeze a lime wedge over each serving, and top with cilantro, if using.

(10 ratings) Read Reviews

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Sesame Oil
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Scallions
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Ginger
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Reviews

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Reviews (9 reviews)

frshldy | 06/25/2020
This just didn't work for me. I found it to be heavy and unappealling. I've never had a Fine Cooking recipe not work for me. Just a fluke :-(
DJ | 12/09/2019
A favorite in this house. The peanut/ soy/Asian sesame oil flavor is a favorite taste.
This time I stir fried some very thinly sliced carrot and a handful of snow peas cut on the bias.
The contrast of the crunchy vegetables was pleasing.
CKova | 11/11/2019
Oh my - this was tasty and quite pretty. Not only will I make it again, I shared the recipe with several friends and they want to make it. I would say this serves more than four - or at least that the four servings are giant. :-) Before I refrigerated the leftovers, I dumped in the rest of the pasta water. Of course it is best served immediately, but the leftovers I had for lunch were still tasty.

Be sure and check your peanut butter for sugar or other sweeteners. If it has any sweetener, you won't need the sugar.

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What We're Cooking Now

Name: Rotini with Ground Pork and Spicy Peanut Sauce
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: Kosher salt; 12 oz. rotini; 1-1/2 Tbs. Asian sesame oil; 5 medium scallions, thinly sliced, whites and greens separated; 2 Tbs. minced fresh ginger; 2 medium cloves garlic, minced; 1 lb. ground pork; 3 Tbs. soy sauce; 2 Tbs. unseasoned rice vinegar; 1 Tbs. sambal oelek or other Asian chile paste; more to taste; 1 Tbs. granulated sugar; 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter, preferably natural; 2/3 cup lower-salt chicken broth; 1 medium lime, cut into 4 wedges; 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)