Today the weather is warmer here in Santa Fe. Since I grew up here, these warm spring days remind me of when I was younger and I love it. In the spirit of Friday and feeling 16 again, we enjoyed some cold beer with our noodles.

Before my hungry eaters arrived, Brian Eno, David Bowie and Lou Reed joined me in the kitchen giving the food some extra good vibrations – here’s the play list.  Here is the recipe for a very simple and tasty lunch. A bowl of pad thai style noodles in a peanut sauce with the flavors of umami, tang, sweet and spicy. Topped with a simple salad made with sliced cucumbers, cilantro, mint and basil dressed in a little toasted sesame oil and rice vinegar for a bright note to complement the nutty flavor.I marinated the chicken in the peanut sauce from the noodles before frying them in the wok with hot toasted peanut oil. The chicken browned nicely – and well… it’s just fun to use a big wok sometimes. On the table were peanuts and chili/garlic paste, for a touch of red and heat. We eventually brought everything to the table to keep filling our bowls.

Each week I meet more of my neighbors in this industrial Siler Midtown District community who come in search of lunch. Today Shehan joined us. He has a studio across the way where he makes beautiful knives. He kindly sharpened my knives as a trade for today’s lunch.