Asian Pesto

Ingredients

• 1 cup oil
• ½ cup peanuts
• 2 small green chile peppers, seeded
• 1 tbsp ginger, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1½ cup basil leaves
• ¼ cup mint leaves
• ¼ cup cilantro leaves
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar

Directions

1. Heat oil in a small skillet until nearly smoking, then remove from the heat and add the peanuts.
2. Allow to sit until lightly browned.
3. Remove the nuts with a slotted spoon and drain, reserving the oil.
4. Put the peanuts in a food processor or blender and blend to a rough paste.
5. Add the chilies, ginger and garlic and continue to blend, add the herbs and a little of the reserved oil, and continue to blend.
6. Add the salt, sugar and lemon juice, and blend until the herbs are very finely minced.
7. Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl and stir in the remaining oil.
8. Serve alongside warm or cold noodles, and allow each eater to spoon sauce to taste over a helping of noodles.