This recipe for Peanut Noodles options mushy and chewy udon noodles with creamy curried peanut sauce, tender zucchini, and cubes of pan-fried tofu. Bonus: Leftovers make a terrific lunch as a result of they are often served sizzling or chilly!
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 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 have to serve something on the aspect.
Why I Love This Peanut Noodles Recipe
- Household pleasant: If you happen to’re in search of 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 respect that it’s an entire, 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: A variety 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 part 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 take a look at all of the elements utilized in these peanut noodles, together with some notes, together with doable substitutions. Please scroll right 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 – Gives a light tanginess for pickling and flavoring the sauce. If you happen to 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 favor udon as a result of they maintain onto the sauce nicely 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 – If you happen to don’t have contemporary garlic, you need to use 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder per clove.
- Contemporary ginger root – Substitute with 1/4 teaspoon floor ginger if contemporary is unavailable.
- Curry powder – I take advantage of delicate curry powder, however if you happen to like extra warmth in your dishes, use a spicier selection.
- Peanut butter – Almond butter or sunflower butter may also 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 if you happen to 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 nicely 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 incredible with peanut noodles and can be utilized as a substitute, if you happen to favor.
- 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.
The best way to 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 correct 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. Convey a pot of water to a boil and cook dinner the udon in line with the directions on the bundle. Whereas the water is heating up, cook 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. 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 cook 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 cook 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.
Recipe Ideas
- Press the tofu. To make sure that the tofu soaks up all of the peanut sauce, you’ll have to press the liquid out first. Use a tofu press in case you have one; if not, place 2–3 folded paper towels on a plate, then put the tofu on prime. Place just a few extra folded paper towels over the tofu and prime with a plate or small reducing board. Put just a few cans of beans or soup on the plate to weigh it down. Let the tofu sit like this for about half-hour, then proceed with the recipe.
- Meal prep for the win. Peanut noodles are actually nice for meal prep! If you happen to’re making this recipe upfront for a household dinner, merely refrigerate the noodles, tofu, and zucchini in a single container and the carrots in one other. For work or faculty lunches, divide the noodles into particular person hermetic containers, then drain the carrots nicely and nestle them subsequent to the noodles. Serve sizzling or chilly — it’s good each methods!
- Make it your personal. This recipe is simple to customise to your personal tastes and preferences. Swap cucumbers for carrots; prime with chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, or cilantro. Omit the tofu and add extra veggies, or use cooked hen as a substitute.
Serving Solutions
Although these peanut noodles with tofu and zucchini are a scrumptious and full meal on their very own, you’ll be able to simply pair them with just a few extras for an entire feast. Serve it alongside some vegetable spring rolls, this superb and spicy Asian cucumber salad, or a sizzling bowl of scorching rice soup to spherical out the meal. These easy additions will take your dinner to the subsequent stage!
The best way 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 take pleasure in peanut noodles chilly, however you too can warmth them up. (Don’t warmth up the carrots, although — they’re higher chilled and crisp.) Every part else might be positioned in a microwave-safe bowl and heated for a minute or two, or till the noodles, tofu, and zucchini are warmed by means of.
Extra Noodles Recipes
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Make the fast pickled carrots. In a medium bowl, mix the shredded carrots with 3 tablespoons of vinegar and put aside.
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Cook dinner the udon noodles. Convey a pot of water to a boil and cook dinner the udon noodles in line with bundle directions. Put aside.
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Cook dinner the tofu. Whereas the water is heating for the noodles, cook dinner the tofu. In a big skillet, warmth 1 tablespoon of peanut oil over medium warmth. Add the tofu and season with a pinch of salt. Cook dinner till the tofu is golden on all sides, then put aside.
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Cook dinner the zucchini. In the identical skillet add the zucchini together with 1/4 cup of water. Season with a pinch of kosher salt and a fast sprinkle of black pepper. Cook dinner for about 3 minutes, stirring steadily till the zucchini has softened a bit and has a contact of golden coloration. Switch it to a bowl and put aside.
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Make the peanut sauce. In the identical skillet, add one other tablespoon of peanut oil. Add the garlic, ginger, and curry powder. Stir round a bit till aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add 1 cup of water, the peanut butter, soy sauce, sugar, and the remaining 3 tablespoons of vinegar. Combine along with a whisk till mixed, then convey to a simmer and cook dinner, stirring sometimes, till the sauce has thickened a bit, about 3 minutes. If the sauce will get too thick, add extra water to loosen issues up a bit.
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Add noodles and veggies. Add the cooked udon noodles to the skillet and toss to coat with the peanut sauce. Stir within the tofu and zucchini, tossing every little thing collectively to make sure every little thing is warmed by means of and coated within the peanut sauce.
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Dig in. Serve the peanut noodles topped with shredded carrots, scallions, a drizzle of sesame oil, and a squeeze of a lime wedge.
Energy: 368kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 17g | Fats: 16g | Saturated Fats: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 4g | Monounsaturated Fats: 6g | Sodium: 1000mg | Potassium: 478mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 4149IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 2mg
Dietary information is an estimate and supplied as courtesy. Values might differ in line with the elements and instruments used. Please use your most well-liked dietary calculator for extra detailed information.