Peanut Noodles

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

The end result 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: When you’re on the lookout for a weeknight dinner that can 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 recognize that it’s a whole, nutritionally balanced meal in a bowl, because of 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: Plenty of peanut sauce recipes are cloyingly candy, with out sufficient acid or salt for stability. This peanut sauce is totally 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. Every thing is cooked in phases 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 take 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 – Supplies a gentle tanginess for pickling and flavoring the sauce. When you don’t have seasoned rice vinegar, use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar with a pinch of sugar.
• Udon noodles – You may substitute ramen, spaghetti, or different noodles, however I want udon as a result of they maintain onto the sauce properly 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 a substitute.
• Garlic – When you don’t have contemporary garlic, you should utilize 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 can even work. It’s also possible to 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.
• Additional-firm tofu – You should use agency tofu, however something softer than that received’t get up properly 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 “Ideas” part.)
• Zucchini – Broccoli can be improbable with peanut noodles and can be utilized as a substitute, should you want.
• Kosher salt & black pepper – Used to season the dish to your style. Sea salt or common desk salt may also 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 prime of the noodles.

Tips on how to Make Peanut Noodles

Cooking the zucchini and tofu individually is vital for this dish as a result of it ensures that every ingredient has the precise texture. Beneath 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. Carry a pot of water to a boil and prepare dinner the udon in line with the directions on the bundle. Whereas the water is heating up, prepare dinner the tofu in a big skillet till it’s golden and crisp on the perimeters. 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. Cook 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 convey 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 prime them with the quick-pickled carrots and a drizzle of sesame oil plus chopped scallions. Serve the noodles with lime wedges.

Tips on how to 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 may get pleasure from peanut noodles chilly, however you may as well warmth them up. (Don’t warmth up the carrots, although — they’re higher chilled and crisp.) Every thing else could be positioned in a microwave-safe bowl and heated for a minute or two, or till the noodles, tofu, and zucchini are warmed by way of.

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