Perfectly Balanced Stir-Fried Vegetarian Noodles

Are you looking for a quick yet nutritious meal that’s packed with flavors? If so, our stir-fried vegetarian noodles recipe is just what you need! This dish requires minimal prep time and cooking effort but delivers big on taste. Perfectly balanced stir-fried vegetarian noodles are rich in vegetables and proteins, making them a healthy addition to your meal plan.

This recipe serves 4 people and can be prepared within 30 minutes from start to finish. The key ingredients for this dish include fresh vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, and snap peas. For the noodles, we recommend using soba noodles or any other type of whole wheat noodles you prefer.

Ingredients

• Soba noodles (or your preferred noodle type) – 1 package (400g)
• Carrots – 2 medium-sized, shredded into matchstick-like pieces
• Bell peppers – 2, sliced diagonally into thin strips
• Broccoli florets – 1 head, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Snap peas – 200g, trimmed and sliced
• Olive oil – 1 tablespoon for stir-frying vegetables
• Garlic – 4 cloves, minced finely
• Green onions – 3 stalks, thinly sliced (for garnish)
• Soy sauce – 2 tablespoons
• Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon (optional) to brighten up the flavors
• Fresh ginger – a small piece, grated (about 1 teaspoon)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the noodles. Boil the soba noodles according to package instructions. Once they are cooked al dente, drain them and set aside in a colander with some cold water to stop further cooking while you prepare other elements of the dish.

Step 2: Prepping vegetables. While the noodles cook, start prepping your veggies by washing them thoroughly. Slice carrots into thin strips using a mandoline or slicing knife for even consistency. Cut bell peppers and broccoli florets into bite-size pieces that are easy to chew yet not too small so they maintain their integrity during cooking. Trim snap peas if necessary.

Step 3: Stir-frying vegetables. In a large skillet, heat up one tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers slightly. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, stirring constantly to release the aromatic flavors. When fragrant (about 30 seconds), toss in your prepared bell peppers followed by carrots and snap peas. Toss them around frequently so they cook evenly without burning. After about two minutes of stir-frying, add broccoli florets last since it takes more time to soften compared to other vegetables.

Step 4: Tossing with noodles and seasoning. Once all the veggies are crisp-tender but not overly soggy, gently fold in your drained soba noodles. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of soy sauce over everything while tossing briskly until well combined. Optionally, add a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice if you like tangy notes or want to balance out the richness from the soy sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving immediately hot.

Cooking Time: Preparation time for this dish is approximately 15 minutes while cooking takes another 10-12 minutes, totaling about 30 minutes including preparation and cooking.

Tips & Variations

1. To make this recipe more filling, consider adding tofu or tempeh cubes right before the final step of tossing with noodles. These will add extra protein content to complement your vegetables.
2. If you have leftover vegetable scraps like celery tops or cabbage leaves, feel free to chop them up and toss into the stir-fry for added freshness.
3. To give the dish a bit more depth, experiment by adding other herbs such as cilantro or basil at the end of cooking. Both offer great contrasting flavors against traditional soy sauce seasoning.

This stir-fried vegetarian noodles recipe not only satisfies your taste buds but also contributes towards maintaining your dietary health goals. It’s perfect for those days when you want something comforting yet light enough to enjoy without feeling heavy afterward. Try it out and impress yourself with its simplicity while enjoying a delicious meal!