I remember the first time I tried soba noodles—an unexpected delight on a rainy Tuesday evening, when the world felt both expansive and a little too close. This easy peanut soba stir fry became my go-to comfort dish, a quick embrace after a long day. Imagine the earthy aroma of sesame oil mingling with the nutty sweetness of peanut sauce, ready to lift your spirits and satisfy those cravings with every twirl of the fork.
Steps
- Warm olive oil in a large pan, then sauté the bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli until they become tender.
- Mix peanut butter, soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, honey, and sesame oil in a bowl until smooth. Add water if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
- Prepare the soba noodles following the instructions on the package.
- Combine the cooked noodles with the sautéed vegetables in the pan. Pour the peanut sauce over the mixture and toss everything together until well coated.
- Garnish the dish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and crushed peanuts before serving. Enjoy your meal!
Ingredients
- 8 oz soba noodles (such as Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles)
- 1/2 cup mini bell peppers, sliced
- 1/2 cup carrots, sliced
- 1/2 cup broccoli, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Toppings: peanuts, green onions, sesame seeds
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- Water (to adjust sauce consistency if needed)
FAQ
- Can I use other vegetables in the Peanut Soba Stir Fry?
- Yes, you can switch up the vegetables according to your preference. While the recipe includes bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots, you can also try adding snap peas, green cabbage, or bok choy.
- Is there a substitute for peanut butter in the sauce?
- If you’re allergic to peanuts or prefer a different flavor, you can substitute almond butter or sunflower seed butter in the sauce. Just note that it may slightly alter the taste.
- How can I make the sauce spicier?
- To add more heat to the sauce, you can increase the amount of chili garlic sauce or add a small amount of sriracha or crushed red pepper flakes.
- What can I use instead of soba noodles?
- If you don’t have soba noodles, you can use whole wheat spaghetti, rice noodles, or any other noodle variety you prefer.
- How can I make this dish gluten-free?
- To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free soba noodles and ensure the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and other ingredients are labeled gluten-free.
Tips
- For added variety, consider incorporating additional vegetables such as snap peas, green cabbage, or bok choy to enhance the dish’s flavor and nutritional value.
- To ensure a smooth and well-blended peanut sauce, mix all the sauce ingredients thoroughly before adding them to the stir fry. Adjust the consistency by adding water if the sauce is too thick.
- When cooking the soba noodles, follow the package instructions carefully to achieve the perfect texture, ensuring they are neither overcooked nor undercooked.
- For a delightful crunch and added flavor, garnish the finished dish with crushed peanuts, freshly sliced green onions, and sesame seeds right before serving.
Equipment
- Soba Noodle Strainer or Pasta Strainer – for draining the noodles.
- Large Non-Stick Sauté Pan or Wok – for stir-frying the vegetables and mixing everything together.
- Mixing Bowl – for preparing the stir fry sauce.
- Chef’s Knife – for chopping vegetables.
- Cutting Board – for slicing and chopping vegetables.
