Peanut Noodles

I don’t find out about you, however on busy weeknights I’m all about fast recipes that make a flavorful dinner that everybody goes to devour. I normally go for stove-top hen thighs or garlic butter steak bites, however just lately I used to be craving a hearty meal with some noodles in it.

The consequence was this peanut noodles recipe. I took primary peanut noodles and spruced them up with pan-fried tofu and zucchini, then completed it with fast pickled carrots and some squeezes of lime juice. All of it comes collectively in about 40 minutes and is so filling you don’t must serve something on the aspect.

Why I Love This Peanut Noodles Recipe

• Household pleasant: Should you’re searching for a weeknight dinner that may get everybody ready on the desk, this peanut noodle recipe is it. Youngsters love the peanut sauce, candy quick-pickled carrots, and chewy udon noodles. Mother and father will respect that it’s a whole, nutritionally balanced meal in a bowl, due to the addition of tofu and veggies.
• Filling: Every serving has about 20 grams of protein, plus fiber and vitamins from the carrots and zucchini.
• Balanced flavors: A variety of peanut sauce recipes are cloyingly candy, with out sufficient acid or salt for steadiness. This peanut sauce is completely different, although. It’s made with a hefty 4 cloves of garlic, loads of freshly grated ginger, and curry powder.
• One pan: You’ll solely want a skillet to make these peanut noodles. All the pieces is cooked in levels after which blended collectively, together with the peanut sauce on the finish. Fewer dishes is at all times a win in my e book!

What You’ll Want

Right here’s a fast have a look at all of the substances utilized in these peanut noodles, together with some notes, together with attainable substitutions. Please scroll all the way down to the recipe card for ingredient quantities and full directions.

• Carrots – Peeled, then shredded for a fast pickled crunch that provides texture and tang.
• Seasoned rice vinegar – Offers a light tanginess for pickling and flavoring the sauce. Should you don’t have seasoned rice vinegar, use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar with a pinch of sugar.
• Udon noodles – You’ll be able to substitute ramen, spaghetti, or different noodles, however I want udon as a result of they maintain onto the sauce effectively and have a pleasant chewy texture.
• Peanut oil – Used for cooking and including a nutty taste. Any impartial oil like canola or vegetable oil can be utilized as an alternative.
• Garlic – Should you don’t have contemporary garlic, you need to use 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder per clove.
• Recent ginger root – Substitute with 1/4 teaspoon floor ginger if contemporary is unavailable.
• Curry powder – I exploit gentle curry powder, however should you like extra warmth in your dishes, use a spicier selection.
• Peanut butter – Almond butter or sunflower butter may even work. You too can do a mixture of 1 half peanut butter and one half tahini.
• Soy sauce – Tamari or coconut aminos can be utilized should you like.
• Granulated sugar – White sugar balances the savory and spicy flavors.
• Further-firm tofu – You need to use agency tofu, however something softer than that gained’t get up effectively to pan-frying. Purchase refrigerated tofu that comes packed in water, not silken tofu. I additionally suggest urgent the tofu. (See how to try this within the “Suggestions” part.)
• Zucchini – Broccoli can also be incredible with peanut noodles and can be utilized as an alternative, should you want.
• Kosher salt & black pepper – Used to season the dish to your style. Sea salt or common desk salt can be used.
• Sesame oil – Search for the type that’s toasted.
• Scallions – Roughly chopped to make use of as garnish.
• Lime – Serve your peanut noodles with lime wedges or slices. The juice is scrumptious when squeezed on high of the noodles.

Make Peanut Noodles

Cooking the zucchini and tofu individually is necessary for this dish as a result of it ensures that every ingredient has the appropriate texture. Under is a step-by-step information to creating peanut noodles.

• Marinate the carrots. Place the shredded carrots in a medium bowl and toss them with a few of the seasoned rice vinegar. Put aside.
• Make the tofu and noodles. Deliver a pot of water to a boil and prepare dinner the udon in accordance with the directions on the package deal. Whereas the water is heating up, prepare dinner the tofu in a big skillet till it’s golden and crisp on the sides. Switch the tofu to a plate.
• Stir fry the zucchini. Add the zucchini and a few water to the skillet, then season with salt and pepper. Prepare dinner till the zucchini is tender-crisp and simply starting to brown in spots. Switch the zucchini to a heat-proof bowl.
• Make the peanut sauce. Warmth some oil within the skillet, then add the garlic, ginger, and curry powder. Stir and prepare dinner till aromatic. Add 1 cup of water, then add the peanut butter, soy sauce, sugar, and remaining vinegar. Whisk till the peanut butter and water are well-combined, then deliver to a simmer and prepare dinner till the sauce is thick sufficient to coat the again of a wood spoon.
• End the noodles. As soon as the sauce has come collectively, add the noodles and toss to coat. Stir within the tofu and zucchini, then toss once more. Take away from warmth.
• Assemble the bowls. Divide the peanut noodles, tofu, and zucchini into bowls, then high them with the quick-pickled carrots and a drizzle of sesame oil plus chopped scallions. Serve the noodles with lime wedges.

Retailer Reheat Leftovers

• Retailer within the fridge: Place your extras in hermetic containers and retailer within the fridge for as much as 4 days. I like to recommend storing the carrots individually.
• To reheat: You’ll be able to get pleasure from peanut noodles chilly, however you may also warmth them up. (Don’t warmth up the carrots, although — they’re higher chilled and crisp.) All the pieces else will be positioned in a microwave-safe bowl and heated for a minute or two, or till the noodles, tofu, and zucchini are warmed via.

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