Welcome to another lesson in peanut allergies, folks! Today, we’ll be discussing the outrageous cost of Epi pens and my love/hate relationship with the medical community. Pay attention…they’ll be a prize at the end.
Ya’ll know that Haley is allergic to peanuts? So we don’t have anything made with peanuts in the house, which is way more extensive than peanut butter.
More importantly, we have to always have an Epi pen on hand. And now that she’s starting Kindergarten, apparently it also means we have to have three Epi pens on hand – one for us, two for the school…just in case the first one doesn’t work. Comforting, I know.
Three Epi pens. I won’t even tell you how much that costs. A lot. A whole stinkin’ lot. Good times.
The pharmacist informed me that I don’t have to buy them. Clarifying that it’s not a law or anything. To which I literally laughed out loud. Ya, okay. I’ll just take the chance that my kid doesn’t accidentally eat something laced with peanuts and go into anaphylactic shock, and have nothing to save her life. But thanks for trying to be helpful.
I bought them. I shelled out the absurd amount of money. I hated our health insurance for covering only 12%, and hated the medical profession even more, for treating this as optional.
But I bought them. Of course. And used my annoyance to get creative in the kitchen.
Your prize? Why this dish, naturally. Although, you really only win by making it. And you must. It was so good. Even peanut butter lovers will enjoy it. Take that you lousy allergy!
Noodles with Edamame and Cashew-Lime Sauce
Serves 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
• 1 pound Barilla Plus thin spaghetti (or whole wheat pasta)
• 2 cups frozen shelled edamame (soy beans)
• 1/2 cup roasted cashews, chopped
• 1/2 cup creamy cashew butter
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 scallion, cut into pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon prepared grated ginger
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Directions
Cook the pasta in a large pot of water until al dente, 8 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.
While the pasta is cooking, boil the edamame for 4-5 minutes. Drain, set aside.
In the meantime, make the sauce by pureeing the cashew butter, soy sauce, water, vinegar, lime juice, scallion, ginger, sugar and red pepper flakes in a food processor or blender until smooth.
Toss the pasta with the cashew sauce. Divide into bowls and sprinkle the chopped cashews over the top and serve.
(inspired by Ellie Krieger)
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
An Epi isn’t covered by insurance. But Viagra? No problem. Totally crazy in a bad, bad way.
Need to try this cashew butter thing. Your dish looks amazing.
Yum yum yum. Even a PB lover like me good get right into this salad. I would love to see this at the next potluck I go to. The sound of cashew and lime together just makes me drool.
I feel for ya with the Epi-pens though…I can’t imagine how much they cost. Maybe you can move in with us…we’ve got lots of spare room, and free medical benefits! Though, prescriptions are sadly not covered. Boo!
That looks and sounds awesome. I love thin whole wheat spaghetti.
This sounds great! I love all of the components here and its such a unique twist with the edamame and the lime!
I don’t even know what an epi pen is! But I am sorry to hear how expensive they are. GREG
Ugh, I would have gotten so irritated with that pharmacist!
On the other hand, this recipe look delicious!
Having kids is EXPENSIVE! Nevermind having kids with allergies. Even more shocking that the pharmacist basically told you it was okay not to buy them. Comforting.
On the plus side, the dinner that resulted looks fab! Can’t wait to try it!
This does sound really, really good. I just discovered shelled edamame, and I love the stuff. I bet cashew butter is awesome–I’ve never tried it, but now I’ll have to!
Sounds divine! I have been reading more and more how common peanut allergies are. We are lucky and do not have food allergies. Poor Haley and I agree it is so ridiculous for health insurance to take that stance!
Cashew butter is so much more decadent-seeming and buttery than any measly peanut butter anyway! This sounds awesome.
(And I’m sorry about the Epi pen debacle — what a headache!)
Ya. It stinks. Thanks.
I guess if I’m trying to find anything positive about this situation, I could say…because of her allergy, I discovered all these wonderful nut butters :-/
I have almond butter on hand. Will it be a good substitute?
Yes! I think any nut butter would work well.
I have no idea how much Epi pens cost, and for that, I am exceedingly grateful.
As medical personnel-to-be, I have to say that I take food allergies INSANELY seriously! If I ever come across any spare epi-pens floating around the hospital, I’ll be sure to send them your way.
I’ve actually made cashew sauce before and love it just as much as I do peanut sauce. This sounds like my kind of noodle dish.
I know you’re a smart nut ;-) She needs the Epi Junior. I can’t even begin to guess how much an adult one costs. The price of a new car? *shakes head*
Oh, wow. I feel your pain. My brother’s kids are epi pen kids. And he’s got 3 of them!
SO sorry you have to deal with this. Don’t you just want to slap the pharmacist for saying you don’t HAVE to buy them? Clearly she/he did not have kids.
This dish looks so yummy, thanks for sharing :)
Christina – yes, right after thinking “idiot” I shifted gears and realized he probably doesn’t have kids and it’s just ignorance. Although, IMHO, I still think a pharmacist should be more aware. Whatever. Takes all kinds. Sigh…
Lovely timing, Amy! Milo’s summer camp at Minnehaha Academy just sent out a notice that they have too many super-allergic kids to take permissive precautions, so no PBJ sandwiches, no nothing w/ peanuts for anyone. I dutifully bought Cashew Butter and Sunflower Seed Butter hoping one would be an okay substitute. But no, Milo hates them both. Now I have these items and must somehow turn them into ingredients instead. Thank you, thank you. I have just-picked peapods, too!
Haley didn’t like the sunflower butter when we first introduced it, but a few tries later she fell in love. Trevor too. Now they eat sunflower butter/jelly sandwiches all the time. Same thing with the cashew and almond butter. Keep trying! You never know…but yes, in the meantime, see if it works by mixing into a recipe like this. *fingers crossed*
Dang this looks and sounds good!!! Also looks like it would clean up off of walls, well, too ;-) I agree with you on medical. It really does suck!!! Yesterday they said a lot of the name brand drugs patents were up. Two of which we take. I can’t wait!!! To find a generic Lipitor, will be a blessing. Since we’re not allergic to peanuts, think I’m going to try this with peanut butter…
The doctors, the pharmacists, the lobbyists…all in bed together. And you’ll never convince me they’re working for the greater good. Maybe for themselves! Absolutely try this with peanut butter – I have no doubt that would be fantastic.
I’m still amazed that you have time to cook while in the middle of a move lady! Amazing!
This looks delicious. I love cashews!
Hey, we gotta eat, right?! It’s the pictures and writing that are the time suck. I know, I’m not well…
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