Being a working mother and wife is, sometimes, a real challenging job. Having to work all day and then come home to a hungry teenager and a husband who comes also late at night makes the dinner choice quite a feat.
Most of the times, I am really tired and all I want is a hot meal served and me ready to just dive in. Alas, this most of the times is impossible. I am the one who has to wear the apron and find the strength to prepare it for the rest of my family.
Sometimes I wonder: “What we have gained as women from the ascendance of feminism, is it for better of worse?” Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate everything that was given to me including education and a more equal treat ( I think we are still far from eliminating the little word more), but instead of having two roles to play that of mother and wife now I have yet another one; that of a working woman.
And if someone says: “Yes but men nowadays play a more energetic role in the upbringing of children and at home.” Well, I am not so sure that this is the case for the majority. Indeed, there are men who are willing to leave their comfort zone and all the prejudices of the past and assume more domestic responsibilities, but the majority, I think, is not ready yet to make the big step. Especially in more traditional societies as the Greek, men are still reluctant to contribute to the whole home and children idea.
So, where does that leave us? Probably, trying to accomplish more than double the tasks our mothers and grandmothers had, in the same time frame. It is tiring and sometimes overwhelming and although I strongly believe that we are more effective and efficient and by far stronger than men, there are times that I feel kind of discontent and unappreciated. Not to mention the limitation of quality time just for me.
One of those days, I came home already tired from an exhausting day at work and I had my son asking what he was going to eat. My husband hadn’t arrived yet and there I was trying to decide whether I should order or make something quick. My foodie in me prevailed and I put my fatigue aside and headed to the kitchen. Coincidentally, I did have some spaghetti in the fridge from couple of days ago and so I came up with this peanut butter pasta. If you have the pasta it is made in a jiffy and without any fuss at all. But even if you don’t have the pasta it is very easy to pull together. Needless to say that it became my son’s favorite meal!
- 3 tbsp peanut butter
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar or white
- 2 tbsp light soya sauce
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ cup water from pasta or boiling water
- Pasta or spaghetti for three
- Place all the ingredients except the water in a bowl and mix well to incorporate.
- Pour the water and whisk again.
- In a wok in medium heat add the spaghetti or pasta and stir to get warm if it is from the fridge.
- Once the pasta is warm, pour the peanut butter batter and stir to cover the whole pasta.
- Let it sauté for a minute and be absorbed and remove from fire.
- Serve immediately.
- 3 κ.σ. φυστικοβούτυρο
- 2 κ.σ. μέλι
- 2 κ.σ. ξύδι ρυζιού ή λευκό
- 2 κ.σ. light σόγια σως
- ¼ κ.γ. τριμμένο τζίντζερ
- ¼ κ.γ. κρεμμύδι σε σκόνη
- ¼ κ.γ. σκόρδο σε σκόνη
- ¼ φλ. νερό από ζυμαρικά ή βραστό νερό
- Ζυμαρικά ή σπαγγέτι για τρεις περίπου 400 γρ.
- Βάζουμε όλα τα συστατικά εκτός από το νερό σε ένα μπολ και ανακατεύουμε καλά να ενσωματωθούν.
- Ρίχνουμε το νερό και ανακατεύουμε ξανά.
- Σε ένα γουόκ σε μέτρια φωτιά προσθέτουμε τα μακαρόνια ή ότι άλλο ζυμαρικό θέλουμε και ανακατεύουμε να ζεσταθούν, αν είναι από το ψυγείο.
- Μόλις τα μακαρόνια είναι ζεστά, ρίχνουμε το μίγμα φυστικοβούτυρου και ανακατεύουμε να πάει σε όλα τα μακαρόνια.
- Σοτάρουμε για ένα λεπτό ώστε να απορροφηθεί από τα μακαρόνια και το κατεβάζουμε από τη φωτιά.
- Σερβίρουμε αμέσως.
