Thyme After Time: Open Sesame - Honey Garlic Noodles

Some recipes have been with me for a eons. Some recipes appear all of a sudden in moments of inspiration. There are those recipes that have invented themselves out of necessity and then there are those that evolve. They slightly change every time I make them depending on the ingredients I have on hand. They evolve and grow and what was a party side dish last year becomes an actual dinner this year with the addition of ground pork and bok-choy. What was once a few tablespoons of sugar, is now honey, used to thicken and sweeten the sauce.

The original sesame noodle recipe is now worn and water stained. The ink has run and the page is reminiscent of some modern art pieces seen in a gallery. It's quite pretty and inviting.

It's not only a recipe or a work of art but it's a symbol of every dish I make. No matter how old or new; no matter how odd or common, they are all works of art.

A cookbook, a food blog, a recipe itself is like a secret, magic door that opens to reveal a work of art.

It's a magical combination that produces a masterpiece (hopefully) not only for your eyes but an entire sensory experience....

the gathering of ingredients

the chopping, the slicing, the feel of the knife, the smells released when the blade meets its subject; the tiny little, almost invisible droplets that mist into the air from peppers, onions, veggies as the blade forms each one into smaller bite sized gifts

the warmth reaching your face as you stand over an oven, a stovetop, a grill, as the heat rises up to meet you

the aroma of garlic, of spices, released into the air when they join with the heat, awakening your senses and arousing those nearby

the mixing, the grilling, the everything that you can touch and feel and watch

the crossing your fingers in anticipation

the plating, the viewing

and finally

the first bite

where the last of your senses....taste...comes into play

and the entire magical experience has come to completion

Every recipe, no matter how mundane it may seem can be a work of art.

All you need is a bit of inspiration, a little imagination and the magic words of course...

Open Sesame....

Sesame Honey Garlic Noodles

1 lb Ground pork

1 tsp Chinese Five Spice Powder

1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

1 lb Linguini

4 or 5 Green Onions

1/3 Cup Peanut Oil

2 Tbsp Sesame Oil

6 Cloves of Garlic, minced

1/3 Cup Soy Sauce

1/3 Cup Honey

1/3 Cup Rice Wine Vinegar

2 Tbsp Hot Chili Sauce (such as Siracha)

1 tsp Sesame Seeds, lightly toasted

1 Head of Bok Choy

Mix the ground pork with the five spice powder, garlic powder and salt by sprinkling over the meat and mixing lightly.

Form into tiny balls.

Heat a couple tablespoons of the peanut oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat.

Add the small pork balls in batches and cook until there's no pink.

Keep the pork balls set aside.

Meanwhile heat another large stockpot filled with salted water to boil.

In the stockpot, add the remainder of the peanut oil, the sesame oil, the garlic, then the soy sauce, honey and vinegar...heating and stirring the whole time. Add the hot chili sauce. Stir.

Check on your pasta water. Is it boiling? Add pasta. Cook linguini until al dente (about 5 minutes; check by biting a noodle fished out of the water.)

Back to the stockpot.....

Add the bok choy to the honey garlic sauce,

Let cook a couple minutes.

Add the pork back in to the pot.

Add the noodles.

Mix and let everything heat through.

Meanwhile...