30 Minute Saucy Ginger Sesame Noodles with Caramelized Mushrooms
Chinese, Noodles
Level: Moderate Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Yield: 6 servings
This is an umami rich noodle dish. Rich caramelized mushrooms, molasses, ginger, sesame, with a perfectly textured egg noodle that I picked up at my local Asian Market. This is a perfect dish for a chilly day like today!
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce or tamari
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter or tahini
1 tablespoon molasses or pomegranate molasses (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
3 cloves garlic, grated
2 tablespoons sesame or extra virgin olive oil
2 shallots, chopped
3 cups shiitake or cremini mushrooms, sliced
black pepper
2 tablespoons raw sesame seeds
8 ounces Chinese style egg noodles or rice noodles
2 1/2 cups low sodium vegetable or chicken broth
2 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
2 green onions chopped, for serving
DIRECTIONS
To make the sauce. Combine 1/2 cup soy sauce, honey, balsamic vinegar, rice vinegar, peanut butter/tahini, molasses, 1 tablespoon ginger, 1 clove garlic, and 1/3 cup water in a bowl.
Cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain. To the pot used to cook the noodles, add the broth and 1/2 of the soy sauce mixture. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stir in the spinach. Keep warm.
Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the mushrooms. Cook undisturbed for 5 minutes or until golden. Add the shallots, 1 tablespoon ginger, and 2 cloves garlic. Cook 4-5 minutes, until fragrant. Add 2 tablespoons soy sauce and a large pinch of pepper. Cook another 2-3 minutes, until the mushrooms are caramelized. Add the sesame seeds, cook 2 minutes. Spoon the mushrooms out of the skillet and onto a plate.
To the skillet, add the remaining soy sauce mixture and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the noodles, toss to combine, and cook until the sauce just coats the noodles, 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
Ladle the broth into bowls. Add the noodles and toss combine. Spoon the mushrooms over the noodles. Top with green onions and chili oil. Enjoy!
NOTES
Chili Oil: I always keep a jar of this homemade chili oil on hand.
