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Garlic Noodles

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Garlic Noodles Recipe

When someone asks me what my favorite food is, I always say Asian food. Seriously, I could eat Asian food every day of my life, and I could live happily ever after. Today, I was looking for a quick and easy dinner without a lot of fuss. So, I made a quick and easy Garlic noodle recipe I whipped up! 

Of course, I wanted more than just garlic noodles, so I added some of my favorite vegetables, but the true beauty of this garlic noodle recipe is it all happens in one pan. 

One of my other favorite recipes is my Vegan Spicy Thai Drunken Noodles with Seared Tofu recipe, but this time I wanted thinner noodles and a less spicy sauce. Also, I chose to skip the tofu today in favor of a few vegetables. 

WHAT TYPE OF NOODLES ARE USED TO MAKE A GREAT GARLIC NOODLE RECIPE?

Traditionally, garlic noodles are generally made from linguini, spaghetti, or angel hair pasta. Instead, I am using gluten-free fettuccine noodles.  Also, my favorite Asian gluten-free thin rice noodles are fabulous with this dish.  But, in a pinch, any thin pasta you prefer works just as well. 

Whether you are allergic to gluten or want a healthier pasta option, gluten-free fettuccine noodles are a good choice. Chewy in texture and subtle in flavor, noodles absorb the flavors of a great garlic sauce. 

In the past, gluten-free pasta would fall apart and become gummy when cooked. Today's gluten-free pasta cooks exactly like regular pasta, with healthier benefits. So, more often than not, I choose gluten-free pasta when I cook. 

WHAT VEGGIES ARE IN THIS GARLIC NOODLE RECIPE? 

garlic noodle vegetables

Although most garlic noodle recipes are just noodles, veggies make me happy, and since this is my recipe, I am adding veggies. Similar to all my recipes, you can add your own favorite veggies or follow my veggie lead. If you prefer an easier recipe, and you want noodles, the veggies are optional, not required. 

Because the focus of this garlic noodle recipe is obviously garlic, I chose vegetables I think to enhance and work well with garlic:

  • Onions
  • Mushrooms
  • Red bell pepper
  • Broccoli
  • Thai basil

But, if you want to add additional veggies, I might add:

  • Bok choy
  • Peapods
  • Bean sprouts
  • Green peppers
  • Zucchini

However, the trick to cooking vegetables perfectly when making stir-frying is simple. I call to call it cooking it layers, for example. First, I saute the garlic and the onions together. Then, I add the mushrooms, and in the end, I add the red peppers. 

saute onions and garlic first

As a result, the red peppers stay al dente instead of overcooking. One of my favorite kitchen hack tricks is to cook the broccoli with the noodles in the same pot while you cook the noodles.

garlic noodles cook broccoli with noodles

garlic noodles noodles and broccoli 

LIKE  ALL GOOD RECIPES, THE SECRET IS IN THE GARLIC NOODLE SAUCE 

Garlic Noodles Recipe

So, the trick I have found with noodles, sauce, and vegetables is less is more. Once the noodles are cooked with the broccoli, I toss them in the sauce and plate. Then, I add the other sauteed vegetables. Because the broccoli is so porous, it holds the sauce's flavors and doesn't make the other vegetables soggy.  

IF YOU ARE A TOFU FAN, CHILI GLAZED MARINATED TOFU FOR GARLIC NOODLE RECIPE

Extra-firm tofu is my go-to tofu for most recipes because it's easy to handle and contains less water. Again, for me, it’s all about convenience. Not only does extra firm tofu take less time to press, but it also stays together when grilling, baking, or sauteeing in a pan. 

And then, there is sprouted tofu, the Cadillac of all tofu, in my opinion. Sprouted tofu, for example, doesn’t need to be pressed. As a result, I chose extra-firm tofu to use for my chili marinated tofu recipe. 

For years I avoided eating tofu. Every time I made tofu, I ended up moving it to the side of the plate because it was either fried or mushy. Most restaurants fry it, which doesn’t interest me, and those who bake and grill it seemed to have the same issues I did; soft tasteless tofu.

Then, I figured it out with the help of my EZ Tofu Press. I bought it on Amazon, and in the beginning, I made the same mistakes. I didn’t follow the directions ( a problem I have, haha); I was in a hurry as I usually am, and I got the same results….tasteless tofu I didn’t like.

Not only is the E-Z Tofu Press easy to use, but it is also the cheapest one on the market! I have owned it for years and never had to replace it with a new one. So, if you are looking for a quality tofu press that won’t break the bank, this one is a great deal. 

E-Z Tofu Press

FOLLOWING THESE SIMPLE STEPS, HOWEVER, AND BEING PATIENT, IS WHAT GOOD TOFU IS ALL ABOUT. 

STEPS FOR PERFECTLY PRESSED TOFU EVERY TIME:

  • First, carefully remove the tofu from the package, discarding the fluid from the package.  It’s delicate, though, so be gentle. 
  • Then, place the tofu in the middle of the press and turn both knobs equally about four turns.
  • I usually place the tofu press in the sink on its side to drain properly. 
  • Turn the knobs every two minutes, equally until the tofu is about an inch or inch and a half thickness.
  • Most people stop here….NOT YET. Keep turning until the knobs are screwed as far as they can almost to touch the opposite end.

 

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WHAT'S IN THE CHILI GLAZED MARINATED TOFU RECIPE FOR GARLIC NOODLES?

  • 1 inch of fresh ginger, minced
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 Tablespoon chili paste
  • 1 Tablespoon maple syrup 
  • ½ Tablespoon white wine or distilled white vinegar
  • 2 scallions, chopped
  • 1 red chili pepper, seeded and sliced finely
  • black sesame seeds for garnish

Once the tofu is marinated overnight, fire up the grill, and grill the chili marinated tofu to add to the garlic noodles' top. 

Grilled chili glazed tofu

CHOOSE YOUR COOKING METHOD: (PICK ONE BELOW)

GRILLING TOFU

  • Pre-heat grill to 400 degrees or medium-low
  • You can place the marinated tofu directly on the grill, or I use a grill basket.
  • Grill for 4 minutes on each side, flipping 4 times (total 16 minutes)
  • Let cool slightly

BAKED VERSION (If you don't have a grill) 

AIR-FRYER VERSION

  • Dip the marinated tofu on each side with cornstarch
  • Place large pieces into the basket, not touching each other.
  • Cook on 370 for 10 minutes
  • Open the basket and turn large tofu pieces over.
  • Bake for 10 more minutes

Regardless of how you choose to cook your tofu, I then cut it into cubes to add to my garlic noodles.

Don't forget to add a generous amount of basil and some black sesame seeds for an added touch of color. 

garlic noodles close up

If you meal prep and plan, garlic noodles can be made ahead of time and reheated for a quick and easy lunch. So, if it's a quick weeknight meal you are looking for or making lunches for the week, garlic noodles are it! 

Garlic Noodles Recipe

LOOKING FOR QUICK AND EASY DINNER IDEAS OR LUNCH MEAL PREP, CHECK OUT THESE  RECIPES:

Garlic Noodles Recipe
Yield: 6 servings

Garlic Noodles

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

This quick and easy garlic noodle recipe is full of savory, sweet, and rich flavor, loaded with garlic.

Ingredients

Chili Glazed Tofu (Optional)

  • 1 14 ounce package extra firm tofu, drained and pressed
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, minced
  • 3 Tablespoons chili paste
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce (or Tamari) 
  • 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1/2 Tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 2 Scallions, chopped
  • 1 red chili pepper, seeded and sliced finely (optional; this will add more spice)
  • 3 cloves minced garlic

Garlic Noodle Sauce

Garnish

  • 1 cup basil leaves
  • Black sesame seeds

Instructions

CHILI GLAZED TOFU (OPTIONAL)

  1. Press tofu using a tofu press
  2. Cut the tofu into 4 equal slices (makes it easier to grill)
  3. Prepare marinade by whisking all ingredients together.
  4. Pour a small amount of marinade into a refrigerator safe dish.
  5. Add two pieces of tofu, more marinade, more tofu, and end with marinade.
  6. Marinate the tofu overnight or at least a few hours.

PREPARE GARLIC NOODLE SAUCE

  1. In a high-speed blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.
  2. The sauce may be made ahead of time and used when ready to make the rest of the dish.

GRILLING THE TOFU

  1. Choose the best cooking method for the tofu provided in the post.
  2. If grilling the tofu, as I did, pre-heat your grill to 400 degrees.
  3. Wait until the grill is hot, and place the tofu pieces directly on the grill or use a grilling mat.
  4. Then, flip tofu every 4 minutes for 16 minutes to get beautiful grill marks.
  5. Return the grilled tofu to the marinade, and when cooled, cut into cubes.
  6. Set aside.

PREPARING THE NOODLES AND VEGETABLES

  1. Boil a large pot of water with a teaspoon of salt.
  2. When it begins to boil, add the noodles, and follow the cooking time indicated on the noodles package you plan to us.
  3. In the meantime, saute the onion and garlic together until the onion is translucent. I use a little vegetable broth or water to prevent sticking.
  4. Then, add the mushrooms and cook until brown.
  5. 3 minutes before the noodles are done cooking, add the broccoli to the noodles and stir together so the broccoli is submerged in the hot boiling water.
  6. Now, add the red bell pepper to the mushroom, onion, and garlic to saute for only a few minutes, so it is al dente.
  7. When it is time to take the noodles off the heat, using a colander, drain the noodles and broccoli together.
  8. Return the noodles and broccoli to the pan you cooked them in, and now pour the garlic sauce over the top.
  9. Using tongs, toss the noodles and broccoli in the sauce.
  10. Then, serve in bowls and add the sauteed onions, garlic, mushrooms, and red bell peppers.
  11. Add cubed chili glazed tofu and sprinkle with black sesame seeds.
  12. Add a generous portion of Thai basil (or regular basil) to each dish.

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Nutrition Information

Yield

6 servings

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 266Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 0mgSodium 654mgCarbohydrates 41gFiber 7gSugar 20gProtein 15g

Nutrition facts may not be 100% accurate.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

© Kathy Carmichael
Cuisine: Asian / Category: Entrees

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