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These Spicy Peanut Noodles Will Make You Forget All About Those Little Microwave Noodle Boxes from Trader Joe’s

Easy, portable, and full of flavor

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The secret to this spicy peanut tofu noodle salad is in the prepared Massaman curry paste, which contains toasted spices including cardamom, cinnamon, and cumin. Massaman curry paste is available at Asian markets and well-stocked grocery stores, but jarred Thai red curry paste works as well.

We like that, once prepared, this dish is ready to hit the road. It works well packed into containers to take for an office lunch or picnic. It’s even easier than fixing one of those little microwave noodle boxes they sell at the grocery store, produces less trash, and since it’s totally homemade you have complete control over the ingredients and flavor.

This dish is gluten-free and will keep you feeling full thanks to vitamin-rich fruits and veg and plant-based proteins: Peanut butter is rich in healthy fats like oleic acid, which has been linked to improved insulin sensitivity, while tofu contains all the essential amino acids – the building blocks of protein – your body needs. Don’t forget to shop for vegan fish sauce or make a batch of your own.

 


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Spicy Peanut Tofu Noodle Salad

Servings
6
Prep Time
20 min
Duration
25 min

Ingredients

  • 8 oz pad Thai–style brown-rice noodles
  • 1/2 cup BPA-free canned full-fat coconut milk
  • ¼ cup unsalted crunchy peanut butter
  • 3 tbsp Massaman or Thai red curry paste
  • 1 lime, zested and juiced, divided
  • 1 tbsp vegan fish sauce
  • 7 oz baked tofu, cut into bite-size pieces (Tip: If you can’t find baked tofu, simply cube firm tofu and sauté until lightly crisp.)
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 mango, pitted, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 cup lightly packed chopped cilantro leaves

Preparation

  1. Prepare noodles according to package instructions. Rinse with cool water and drain.
  2. In a large serving bowl, whisk coconut milk, peanut butter, curry paste, lime zest and juice and ‘fish’ sauce.
  3. Add drained noodles, tofu, bell pepper, mango, and cilantro and toss to coat with dressing.
  4. Make Ahead: Salad can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Add a few tablespoons of warm water and toss to loosen dressing.

Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size 1/6 of recipe
  • Calories 344
  • Carbohydrate Content 49 g
  • Cholesterol Content 0 mg
  • Fat Content 13 g
  • Fiber Content 6 g
  • Protein Content 12 g
  • Saturated Fat Content 5 g
  • Sodium Content 499 mg
  • Sugar Content 11 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat Content 3 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat Content 3 g