Asian Noodles
I don’t know what it is. We had no holiday plans at all this year, just the two of us, the cat, some presents (all gifts purchased early, wrapped, and shipped), and some movies. But for some reason, I soaked up holiday stress like a sponge! I had absolutely nothing to be panicked about, yet I was completely on edge. Perhaps it was the mad rush of cars and people that suddenly descended on our little ski town (many of whom seemed bound and determined to run this little pedestrian over), or maybe it was the flood of sale and deal emails that crowded my inbox right up until Christmas day … whatever it was, I feel like I need a vacation from my actually non-stressful vacation! Did anyone else feel a little high strung this year?
When I’m stressed, I usually tell my husband I want to go to the Vietnamese place for dinner, Asian Noodles. That little restaurant feels like an extension of my kitchen, except that they have the best darn Pho (like I’m going to try making authentic Pho broth in my kitchen!) and noodle dishes I have ever tasted. And, they are cheap. Even so, last week when I had hit my limit and was ready to inform him of our dinner plans, I realized, we have noodles, we have vegetables, why don’t I just make us a noodle dish here? Yes, even cheaper, but still delicious.
Now, I have a confession to make. I often don’t post the recipes that I make for dinner because I’m not a camera addict, I’m a food addict. I cook, we eat. There is rarely any set-up time for pictures. To be honest I don’t even think about it most nights. And, I haven’t felt comfortable in posting recipes without a photo. But here goes …
Let me know, do you want recipes even if I don’t have a photo of the actual recipe? Here’s a picture of the rice noodles I used (Rice Sticks from TJ’s), does that help?
I know, feable attempt. Maybe you will like the shot of my little noodle bowls below.
Alisa’s Almost Asian Noodles
You can easily make this dish vegan / vegetarian with the notes I have included in the recipe and by omitting the meat (and accompanying ingredients) altogether. This dish really doesn’t need the meat per say (it’s pretty flavorful) … you can actually leave it out entirely or substitute it with some more veggies (red bell peppers and broccoli would be nice) or with your favorite meat substitute (tofu, tempeh, etc.).
This recipe is Dairy-Free and optionally Vegan, Gluten-Free, and/or Nut-Free – depending on the ingredients you use.
Meat (simply omit this entire section of ingredients for vegan/vegetarian or use your favorite meat alternative):
- 1/2 lb Pork or Chicken, thinly sliced
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
- 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/8 Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/2 Tablespoon Mirin (sweet rice cooking wine)
Sauce:
- 2 Tablespoons Oyster Sauce (try Lee Kum Kee Green Label for Gluten-Free or Weitai Vegetarian for Vegan)
- 1 Tablespoon Mirin
- 1 Teaspoon Soy Sauce or Wheat-Free Tamari (for gluten-free) (heck, they even make soy-free soy sauce now)
- 1/2 Teaspoon Honey (or sweetener of your choice)
- 1/2 Teaspoon Chili Oil
The Rest:
- 4 Ounces Rice Noodles
- 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil (or cooking oil of your choice), divided
- 1/2 Large Onion, cut into slivers
- 1/2 Medium Cabbage, sliced (I cut ribbons that were about 1/2 inch wide and 3 inches long)
- 1 to 2 Garlic Cloves
- Optional: 2 Green Onions (green parts only) for garnish, sliced
Combine the meat (or meat alternative), cornstarch, mirin, salt, and pepper in a medium-sized bowl. Stir to coat the meat or meat alternative (ie tofu) as thoroughly as possible. Set aside. (If you are adding in a pre-cooked meat analogue, the you can skip this step altogether and simply add it at the end with the rice noodles. Skip this step entirely if you are just using vegetables.)
Whisk together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl (I whisk with a fork – I’m lazy that way). Set aside.
Set the rice noodles onto cook according to the package directions.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a wok or large pan over med-high heat. Once hot, add the meat and stir fry until it is lightly browned and cooked through (about 6 to 7 minutes). Remove the meat from the wok and add the other tablespoon of oil. Add the onions and stir-fry for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cabbage (rinsed, with some water is fine) and stir fry the two for 5 or 6 minutes, or until soft (if they begin to stick, feel free to add a little water, which will also help steam the cabbage, to avoid sticking).
Reduce the heat to medium, add the garlic and cook for just 1 minute. Add the sauce and meat that you set aside and stir to combine. Cook just a minute more, remove from heat and stir in the rice noodles and green onions, if using. Stir to coat the noodles (they will soak up the sauce nicely.
Makes 2 dinners
How have the holidays treated you all? Are you ready for the New Year?!
15 thoughts on “Asian Noodles”
The noodles look great!
Merry Xmas, Happy New Year, and we are headed home today. I am dreading the airports and chaos. Wish me luck…haha 🙂
noodle dishes sound perfect right about now. Warm broth, oh soo soothing. I’ve been using these new sweet potato soba noodles (GF) so this dish would be perfect with them. Merry christmas!
Sounds pretty darn yummy Alisa! Your posts always make me want to come to your little ski town!
I am not going to lie to you, I loved this post! I hear ya, the stress was through the roof for no good reason (in the end). I hope that you had time to just enjoy each other (and the kitty) during the holidays. I am sooo ready for the new year. I really need a good one!
I think it is perfectly fine to post recipes without a picture. I hate the lighting during the winter for dinner recipes. The soup sounds perfect!
I don’t mind the lack of food photos at all! It’s lovely to get a quick and delicious dinner idea from you 🙂 I, too, was feeling on edge in the lead up to Christmas, partly because the abking I was doing had to be done just before the present-giving. But really, I knew that I had nothign to worry about, yet I did anyway!
I really do think we’re all susceptible to the tensions around us in the world. But, conversely, hopefully this also means we’re susceptible to joyous feelings too!
The pictures of the noodles more than made up for the lack of dinner photos. I haven’t taken a single food photo since the bakeathon, no worries!
I actually wasn’t too stressed about the holidays, but I think it was because I was stressed about school until the day before Christmas.
At this point in our relationship, Alisa, I trust you enough to know that when you say something is good…It’s GOOD. Photo or no photo.
I wasn’t super stressed until I realized I had one day to bake 5,000 cookies. Then I went into stress overdose. It was bad. I’m kind of glad it’s over.
Sounds delicious! I know what you mean about the dinner time shots. Far too chaotic in our household usually at that time to even contemplate a photo.
I love anything with noodles in it!
Lindsay I must find those sweet potato soba noodles, serious yumminess!
Sarena, I hear ya. 2010 wasn’t bad, but I have high hopes for 2011. Bring it on!
Who needs photos all the time? I’d much prefer to have the recipe even if there’s no photo (and the photos you DO have here are beautiful). The dish sounds fabulous, too.
I hope the stress has dissipated. . . I was incredibly stressed right before Christmas but have somehow let that go even though things are still pretty hectic. . . I guess I know I’ve got a holiday coming up!
Hope you both have a very happy new year, Alisa! 🙂
How good would a simple asian noodle bowl be right about now? I’m pretty turkey-d out and could use something completely different in my daily eats. Even without a photo, they sound delicious 🙂
Your noodle recipe sounds yummy! Happy new year!
Pho is one of those dishes that is an ultimate comfort food for me. I have yet to find a reliable gluten-free one in my area (haven’t tried that hard – and the last place i went to, when I explained my dietary needs, the lady told me she couldn’t help me and that they were too busy – and pointed to the half-full dining area. Hmph.) so I do actually make my own pho broth. Your dish does sound truly tasty! I think it’s time i whip up some noodles at home again!
Comments are closed.