| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 530 | 24g | 5g | 68g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 8g | 7g | 17g | 1.2g |
Why I Love Thai Vegan Thai Spicy Peanut Rice Noodles with Veggies
I have always held great affection for the vibrantly flavoured, nutritionally balanced Thai cuisine, and recently, I have found myself falling head over heels in love with the Vegan Thai Spicy Peanut Rice Noodles with Veggies recipe. This dish is a beautiful harmony of my West Coast roots and my deep appreciation for the complex flavours of Asian food. It’s light, yet gratifying, maintaining that appealing blend of health-conscious ingredients and comfort food indulgence that is at the heart of my culinary philosophy.
Flavours that Bloom
The enticing rainbow of veggies in this vegan delight is not just a visual treat, but an indulgence for the palate too. The earthy bell peppers, crunchy carrots, vibrant zucchini, and savory mushrooms make each forkful a satisfying democracy of textures and flavors. By sautéing them in fresh garlic and vegetable oil, the inherent flavours of each vegetable are subtly enhanced, creating a base that’s both distinct and harmonious with the spicy peanut sauce.
The Sauce – A Symphony in Every Spoonful
The sauce, to me, is the aspect of the Vegan Thai Spicy Peanut Rice Noodles with Veggies that perfectly encapsulates my love for this recipe. Combining natural peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, agave nectar, water and Thai chili paste, it’s an exotic melody of sweetness, saltiness, and heat, elevated to an intriguing level of piquancy. I can’t help but be reminded of the time I attended a Thai cooking workshop with Chef Jet Tila where I learned the importance of balance in Thai cuisine, this sauce is the epitome of that.
The overall lightness of the rice noodles coupled with a sauce that’s rich, yet not overwhelming, makes this dish a wonderful answer to weekday dinners, potluck gatherings, or even special occasions. For me, garnishing this dish with fresh cilantro, crushed peanuts, and a wedge of lime is akin to adding the final stroke on a beautiful painting – it completes the experience.
Every bite of Vegan Thai Spicy Peanut Rice Noodles with Veggies reflects not just my love for cooking, but my belief that healthy, hearty, and flavorful meals can be created in every kitchen. Try this recipe once and you’ll almost certainly fall for it, just like I did.
What You’ll Need
- 12 oz dried rice noodles
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup sliced zucchini
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- For the sauce:
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1-2 tablespoons Thai chili paste
- For garnish:
- Fresh cilantro
- Crushed peanuts
- 1 Lime, cut into wedges
Method
Step One
Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook the dried rice noodles based on the instructions on the package. Once fully cooked, drain the noodles and set them aside for later use.
Step Two
In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and cook it until it becomes fragrant.
Step Three
Add the sliced carrots, bell peppers, zucchini and mushrooms to the skillet. Saute the vegetables until they are tender. This usually takes around five to seven minutes.
Step Four
While the vegetables are being sautéed, start preparing the sauce. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the natural peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, agave nectar, water and Thai chili paste. Stir these ingredients until they are well mixed.
Step Five
Once the vegetables are cooked, add the drained noodles and the sauce to the skillet. Toss everything together until the noodles and vegetables are fully coated with the sauce. Let the dish cook for an additional two to three minutes, allowing the flavours to blend together.
Step Six
Garnish the noodles with fresh cilantro, crushed peanuts and lime wedges before serving. Enjoy your Vegan Thai Spicy Peanut Rice Noodles with Veggies straight from the skillet or cooled as a cold noodle salad.
