Spicy noodles are an all-time favorite of many people and you don’t even have to be Asian to appreciate them.
These spicy noodles are sure to make your mouth water because they’re packed with delicious herbs and spices that add tons of flavor, but also pack a punch when it comes to the heat factor! These noodles are great as an appetizer or main dish, so feel free to eat them any time of day. No matter how you serve them, spicy noodles should definitely be included in your regular meal plan!
Cooking in Bulk
This is especially important if you’re trying to lower your expenses while still eating well. Food is notoriously expensive. When possible, cook in bulk and freeze extra portions for future meals. In addition to saving money, cooking in bulk allows you to stretch small amounts of high-quality ingredients into more than one meal; you’ll often find yourself with leftovers that taste great when eaten on their own or paired with a different side dish or protein source.
Try going meatless one day per week and use your leftovers for a second vegetarian-based meal (throw some sliced grilled chicken on top). You can also use leftovers as a quick breakfast sandwich or pizza topping, or eat them cold out of the refrigerator—breakfast burritos are always tasty and reheated! Even though they aren’t new meals, they still cost less because you don’t have to pay for all those additional ingredients.
If it tastes good hot out of the oven, it will almost certainly taste just as good at room temperature later in the week. By planning ahead and doing a little preparation each night before bedtime, it’s easy to take advantage of any deals offered by grocery stores during dinner time hours and save hundreds over a month’s worth of food costs. Allowing yourself one splurge dinner every couple of weeks can help keep things interesting without adding unnecessary costs.
Main Ingredient – Spicy Sriracha Peanut Sauce
Peanut Sauce is one of my favorite sauce types to use in Asian cuisine. It’s easy to make and has great flavor. This spicy sriracha peanut sauce is a unique twist on it, with Sriracha as one of its main ingredients. Sriracha is a hot chili sauce that can be found at most grocery stores nowadays, but if you’re not lucky enough to have it near you (or can’t find it), you can use tabasco or sambal oelek as a substitute.
To learn more about how to use these sauces, see my guide here. I like using sriracha because it adds both heat and sweet elements; whereas tabasco is all heat, and sambal oelek is all sweet. If you’re feeling adventurous, try mixing two together! Add some veggies: If you want to add some extra veggies to your meal, feel free to add any other vegetables you like. I used broccoli florets for mine since they cook quickly and taste great with noodles.
Feel free to experiment with different vegetables! Just remember that cooking times may vary depending on what vegetable(s) you choose; so keep an eye out for them while cooking so they don’t get too mushy or burnt!
Garnishes and Toppings
Many of us make spicy noodles by pouring on a canned or jarred sauce, and while these sauces can be great they don’t usually add much flavor. Instead, if you want your spicy noodles to stand out try adding some garnishes and toppings to give it that extra something. For example, you could add a dash of lemon juice (for a tangy bite) or some grated cheese (for a creamier bite).
As for toppings, you could go for slices of carrot, broccoli florets and cilantro leaves. You could also opt for red pepper flakes or black sesame seeds as garnishes. If you have time, consider making your own pickled vegetables—it’ll take more time but will make your dish unique. Finally, always remember to season with salt and pepper at the end!
The Steps
In a large bowl, combine 1 pound of thin rice noodles, 1/4 cup of vegetable oil, and a generous pinch of salt. Set aside for 15 minutes to soften. Drain off excess water from noodles and pat dry with paper towels. If not using immediately, refrigerate until ready to use (up to 2 days). In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat 4 teaspoons of vegetable oil.
Add 4 sliced garlic cloves and stir constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned; remove from pan and set aside. Add 3 ounces of raw shrimp (peeled or unpeeled) to the pan along with 2 tablespoons of grated fresh ginger and 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes; saute until shrimp are pink on both sides, about 3 minutes total.
Remove shrimp from pan and add to plate with reserved garlic. Reduce heat under skillet to medium-low, add the remaining teaspoon of oil, and cook noodles in two batches according to package directions until al dente (about 3 minutes per batch); drain well. Return cooked noodles to skillet along with reserved garlic, shrimp, and sauce mixture; toss well over low heat just until heated through. Serve immediately garnished with chopped scallions if desired.
Makes 6 servings (serving size: 1 cup). Tips & Techniques: For best results, buy thin rice noodles that come in flat sheets rather than wide ones. Look for brands that say 100% natural or 100% whole grain. Rice noodles are also known as banh pho, bean thread, or cellophane noodles. When buying shrimp, make sure it is peeled and deveined unless you like peeling tiny shells out of your mouth while eating dinner!
Conclusion
In terms of flavor and your overall dining experience, it’s hard to beat spicy noodles. And when it comes to spicy noodles, it’s hard to beat Thai food. With a little spice mixed with plenty of tasty ingredients like vegetables, seafood, and meat, you’re sure to impress anyone who tries these amazing spicy noodle recipes. Whether you need an appetizer that will get things started or the main dish that will leave your mouth watering for more, there are plenty of ways you can prepare these spicy noodle recipes in your own kitchen! Try one today!
Also, check out the latest articles “Peanut butter balls” and “Mexican pizza recipe“
Hi I’m Bilal Malik, a digital marketing and blogging expert holding years of experience.
