In celebration of #EatYourNoodlesDay I wanted to try to recreate one of my favourite dishes from a Thai restaurant that we like to eat at. The restaurant itself is very quaint - maybe ten tables and the owner is the one who takes your orders - without writing them down, no matter the size of your group. Needless to say this wonderful place has been frequented many times throughout my husband and my relationship.
That being said, in all the times that we have eaten there it's very rare that I stray from my favourites which include pad Thai and a vegetarian rice noodle dish made with a spicy Thai basil sauce. I KNOW. I always go with the intention of trying something different but when you know how stupendous a meal can be you try not to venture too far from that path.
So last time we were there I made the decision to try and recreate this beauty at home and what better day to do so than #EatYourNoodlesDay?!
We tend to eat a lot of noodle-based meals in our little home because 1) noodles are fantastic and 2) they are super versatile even within their noodle form. Between straight up wheat pasta, traditional rice noodles, brown rice noodles (macaroni is my fave) and spiralized veggie noodles, the noodle world is at your fingertips.
Let's not forget the joy that is using your noodle to create new recipes, learn new cooking skills and being a part of the overall beauty of cooking. I've always been a believer that knowledge is power and that doesn't have to stop with the human food chain. Having the knowledge of which foods make you feel your best self is often overlooked when we think about food consumption. When it comes to finding the best quality food, finding great recipes to transform said food will lead you to feeling fulfilled with your inner self.
The knowledge of where your food comes from is a major contributing factor to finding this inner joy. So many people in our modern world are incredibly disconnected to their food system which then leads to the disconnect within oneself in the process, often without even noticing.
The power of knowledge is an integral part of our everyday food choices and without it your relationship with food will never reach it's greatest potential. So use your noodle on this day, not just in the kitchen but in the world around you. Never stop learning and always reach for more in every aspect of your life. The world is at your fingertips but a great place to start is by eating noodles.
Veggie Noodle Bowl with Spicy Tamari Basil Sauce
Ingredients
rice noodles of choice
Veggies of choice but I used :
small Spanish onion, thinly sliced
1/2 head broccoli
1/2 zucchini
1/2 carrot, julienned
3-4 Brussels sprouts
For the sauce:
1/4 cup tamari
1/2 tsp fresh lime zest
1/4 tsp red chilli flakes
10-15 medium to large basil leaves, gently massaged
1 clove garlic, grated
In addition:
coconut oil for sautéing
raw cashews - alternatively you could use crispy onions, or fresh sprouts - you just need something to add a little crunch.
1. Toss everything for the sauce in a bowl and let it sit.
2. Sauté onions in coconut oil over medium heat until golden.
3. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add rice noodles.
4. Next add the Brussels sprouts to the onions until soft and then add the rest of your veggies.
5. Once the noodles are soft, drain and rinse thoroughly then add to the vegetables mix. Stir to combine and then add your sauce. Stir well until the sauce begins to heat and slightly bubble. Remove from heat and serve immediately. Top with cashews and fresh basil if desired.