Gado Gado- Trail Food Style!

Ingredients

• 6 cups water
• 3 cups macaroni noodles or pasta shells
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 large potato
• 2 large carrots
• 3/4 large onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery
• 1/4 cup textured vegetable protein (T.V.P.)
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/8 cup hot sriracha sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (good) (optional)
• 3 tablespoons grated fresh ginger (GREAT) (optional)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for sauteing
• 1 diced jalapeno (or other hot chili pepper)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• salt and pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Boil water.

2. 2

   Add Noodles with a pinch of salt.

3. 3

   In a frying pan, lightly saute chopped onions, garlic and hot Chile pepper. Set aside.

4. 4

   In that same frying pan, heat up slowly (as not to burn) the peanut butter till melted. Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, and Sriracha. Stir till well mixed. Set aside.

5. 5

   Once the macaroni is back up to a boil, add potato, celery, carrots, and T.V.P. Stir.

6. 6

   When the noodles are al dente (firm to the bite), drain. Don't forget to save that pasta water for some great hot chocolate later! Plus, on trail those starches are good for keeping you warm at night.

7. 7

   Place noodle/veggie mix back on the heat, add peanut sauce and onions. Stir very well. Melt some butter in there too for good source of fat energy on the trail.

8. 8

   Optional- add the grated ginger and chopped cilantro. Keep the bottle of Sriracha next to you to add more heat as needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste. SERVE HOT!