Are you familiar with the Pioneer Woman? Is that a bit like asking 'are you familiar with Oprah?' The Pioneer Woman is a blogger in Oklahoma who has spun a nice story about how she came to be a ranch wife and mother.
She has three books (two cookbooks, one childrens'), gives away All Clad cookware sets, Kitchen Aid mixers (actually had four custom painted mixers donated for her giveaways), and reaches millions of readers. She's like a blog guru. If one's into that sort of thing.
But as with all popular things, there is backlash. Hate on her made up persona, hate on her "brand," hate on her cooking.
I'm gonna stay out of all of that. But I will tell you that I've made two of her recipes that I like very much. One is an Asian marinated flank steak and the other is these sesame noodles.
Both involve soy sauce, honey, chili flake, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. All good things.
And while these noodles seem to verge into junk food territory, aside from the sodium (and general lack of vegetables), I don't think they're too bad for you. But still they seem like late night or single food.
They come together quickly and disappear just as fast. I'd imagine the variations are endless (adding meat and all sorts of veggies), but so far I've only stuck with the simple version. Spicy, salty, full of flavor. Just like I like it.
Simple Sesame Noodles
Adapted from the Pioneer Woman
1/4 lb. thin spaghetti or Vietnamese rice noodles
1/2 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons grated ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon chili flake, or more
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
chopped green onions
sesame seeds, for garnish
Boil noodles until al dente in salted water. While noodles are boiling, mix soy sauce, ginger, garlic, chili flake, sugar and whisk together well. Whisk in sesame oil, vinegar, and vegetable oil (in a slow, thin stream until fully incorporated). Drain noodles and toss with sauce. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Eat!!