Ingredients

1 pound penne, ziti or other short, tubular pasta
1 cup Thai-style peanut sauce
4 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 talespoons sugar
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
1 cucumber, halved, seeded and thinly sliced
2 carrots, peeled and grated
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
2 green onions, thinly sliced
Garnish: cilantro, pickled ginger, chopped peanuts

Directions

Cook pasta according to package direction. Drain and place in large bowl; let cool slightly. Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir together peanut sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, lime juice and red chili flakes. Add cucumber, carrots, bell pepper and green onions to pasta; toss dressing with pasta mixture. Serve immediately or chill up to four hours. Garnish with cilantro, pickled ginger and chopped peanuts. Serves 6.

Note: You can purchase peanut sauce at the supermarket or make your own in your blender. Blend together 4 cloves fresh garlic, juice from 1/2 lemon, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons oil, 4 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or rice wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, or to taste.