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 an incredible lunch as a result of they are often served scorching 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 end result was this peanut noodles recipe. I took fundamental 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 facet.
Why I Love This Peanut Noodles Recipe
- Household pleasant: In the event you’re in search of a weeknight dinner that can get everybody ready on the desk, this peanut noodle recipe is it. Children love the peanut sauce, candy quick-pickled carrots, and chewy udon noodles. Mother and father will admire 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: Loads of peanut sauce recipes are cloyingly candy, with out sufficient acid or salt for stability. 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. The whole lot is cooked in phases after which combined 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 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 gentle tanginess for pickling and flavoring the sauce. In the event 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 desire 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 – In the event you don’t have recent garlic, you need to use 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder per clove.
- Contemporary ginger root – Substitute with 1/4 teaspoon floor ginger if recent is unavailable.
- Curry powder – I exploit delicate curry powder, however in case you like extra warmth in your dishes, use a spicier selection.
- Peanut butter – Almond butter or sunflower butter will 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 in case 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 gained’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 do this within the “Ideas” part.)
- Zucchini – Broccoli can be unbelievable with peanut noodles and can be utilized as a substitute, in case you desire.
- 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 sort 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 best 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 among 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 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 deliver to a simmer and prepare dinner till the sauce is thick sufficient to coat the again of a picket 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.
Recipe Ideas
- Press the tofu. To make sure that the tofu soaks up all of the peanut sauce, you’ll must press the liquid out first. Use a tofu press if in case you have one; if not, place 2–3 folded paper towels on a plate, then put the tofu on high. Place a couple of extra folded paper towels over the tofu and high with a plate or small chopping board. Put a couple of 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! In the event you’re making this recipe prematurely 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 scorching or chilly — it’s good each methods!
- Make it your individual. This recipe is simple to customise to your individual tastes and preferences. Swap cucumbers for carrots; high with chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, or cilantro. Omit the tofu and add extra veggies, or use cooked hen as a substitute.
Serving Strategies
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 a couple of extras for an entire feast. Serve it alongside some vegetable spring rolls, this wonderful and spicy Asian cucumber salad, or a scorching bowl of scorching rice soup to spherical out the meal. These easy additions will take your dinner to the following stage!
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 can too warmth them up. (Don’t warmth up the carrots, although — they’re higher chilled and crisp.) The whole lot else may 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 short 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. Deliver a pot of water to a boil and prepare dinner the udon noodles in accordance with package deal directions. Put aside.
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Cook dinner the tofu. Whereas the water is heating for the noodles, prepare 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 regularly 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 deliver to a simmer and prepare dinner, stirring often, 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 offered as courtesy. Values might range in accordance with the elements and instruments used. Please use your most popular dietary calculator for extra detailed information.