Description
Spicy peanut noodles deliver a delightful explosion of Asian-inspired flavors that dance across taste buds. Silky strands coated in rich, nutty sauce with a kick promise a memorable culinary experience for hungry diners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Noodles:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) lo mein, rice noodles, or spaghetti
- Tofu, grilled chicken, shrimp, or beef (protein of choice)
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or gluten-free tamari)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 2–4 tablespoons warm water (to thin the sauce)
Vegetables and Garnishes:
- Bell peppers, shredded carrots, cucumbers, or snap peas
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons crushed peanuts
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of salted water and cook the noodles until they reach an al dente texture, ensuring they maintain a slight firmness when bitten.
- While the noodles are cooking, craft a vibrant peanut sauce by blending peanut butter with a harmonious mix of soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and honey.
- Finely mince fresh garlic and ginger, then incorporate them into the sauce along with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to create a complex, spicy profile.
- Drain the cooked noodles and quickly rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process and prevent clumping.
- Transfer the noodles to a spacious mixing bowl and pour the peanut sauce over them, using tongs to ensure each strand is thoroughly coated with the rich, tangy mixture.
- Add your selected protein and crisp vegetables, gently tossing to distribute them evenly throughout the noodle mixture.
- Enhance the dish’s visual appeal and flavor complexity by scattering freshly chopped green onions, fragrant cilantro, and roughly crushed peanuts across the top.
- For those craving additional heat, provide a bottle of Sriracha sauce on the side, allowing diners to customize their spice level.
- Serve the noodles immediately while they’re still warm, capturing the dish’s optimal texture and temperature.
Notes
- Noodle Selection Matters: Choose thick, chewy wheat noodles like udon or soba for better sauce absorption and authentic texture.
- Customize Protein Options: Swap proteins easily with tofu for vegetarian version, grilled chicken for lean protein, or shredded tempeh for plant-based alternative.
- Sauce Consistency Control: Add warm water gradually to achieve perfect sauce thickness – aim for coating consistency that clings smoothly to noodles without pooling.
- Spice Level Flexibility: Adjust red pepper flakes and Sriracha to personal heat tolerance, ranging from mild warmth to fiery intensity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg