Broccoli, sugar snap peas, snow peas, and noodles covered in a Thai-inspired peanut and lime sauce. This quick and easy (vegan!) Thai Peanut Noodle Stir Fry contains all the best flavors in one bowl.
We’re not big pasta eaters in this house. Nothing against pasta or anything; we just don’t eat a lot of carb-based dinners.
We try to eat healthy at mealtime so we can save room to taste test all these desserts!
And yet when I first saw stumbled across this recipe by Ellie Krieger, I knew I had to make it immediately.
It has my favorite Thai-inspired flavors: peanut and lime. And it also includes some of my favorite vegetables: broccoli, sugar snap peas, and snow peas.
It’s vegetable-heavy, which we love, and covered with the most delicious peanut sauce. It’s like the ultimate comfort food, just loaded with bright green steamed veggies. Comfort food AND fresh vegetables? Win-win!
We’ll turn a blind eye to the (whole wheat) pasta, deal? I mean, this Thai peanut noodle stir fry is vegan, and vegan means it has to be healthy, right?!
(Never mind the growing popularity of vegan donuts.)
Just look at that big, fresh pile of veggies on top. Total health food here, folks.
This did not disappoint in the least. The Thai flavors are delicious, but the big pile of stir-fried veggies keeps the dish light and fresh.
Do you ever feel like Americanized Thai food is just too much because it’s so heavy and carby and yet you can’t stop eating because it’s so good? I’m looking at you, pad thai.
No, just me with the lack of impulse control? Darn. Either way, you don’t have to worry about that here, because of the heaping pile of veggies. It’s all the carby goodness, with lots of veggies, too!
We’re going liberal with the definition of Thai food — it’s more like an Asian-inspired peanut sauce.
Soy sauce, ginger, rice vinegar, and lime are blended together with peanut butter and crushed red pepper for a smooth, creamy, dairy-free sauce.
The noodles and sauce are A++ and perfectly balanced with that giant pile of fresh vegetables that I always miss if we order Thai noodle dishes.
And the very best part? Like most stir-fries (stir frys?) this Thai peanut noodle stir fry comes together in a snap.
It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s delicious. In other words, a perfect weeknight meal.
The longest part is waiting for the water to boil to cook the pasta! Everything else can be done while the water heats and the pasta cooks.
We’re going to toast some peanuts (5 minutes).
Then we’ll saute/steam the vegetables until everything is snap-tender (another 5ish minutes). Don’t want to sautee them in a pan? Steam them in the microwave as another option.
While we’re talking about steaming vegetables, have you ever wondered why broccoli turns such a beautiful bright green when it’s sauteed or steamed? It’s time for my favorite subject… kitchen chemistry!
Kitchen Chemistry
Vegetables like broccoli are bright green from chlorophyll-containing chloroplasts. When vegetables are raw, gas fills empty spaces between the plants cells, which leads to a dull, dark green color. As the vegetables are cooked, the air pockets expand and eventually break open, making the bright green color of the chloroplasts shine through. If cooked too long, however, the chlorophyll leaches out of the vegetables and the vegetables will start to become grayish-yellow.
The sauce is made in the blender and takes as much time as it takes to dump in some ingredients and push the blend button (less than 5 minutes).
Then, as soon as your pasta is done cooking, toss it with the sauce, pile your vegetables on top, and sprinkle on some toasted peanuts.
Dinner is served!
Broccoli, sugar snap peas, snow peas, and noodles covered in a Thai-inspired peanut and lime sauce.
Stir fry is best enjoyed immediately after making, as the vegetables become softer with reheating. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; microwave to warm or eat cold.
Adapted from The Food You Crave by Ellie Krieger
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