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The first line of a post is always the hardest.
And now that it’s over with I am happy.
Now we can talk about how earlier today, when I was standing in my kitchen chopping sixteen ounces of dark chocolate, I kept thinking, “wow, I go through so much chocolate in one week. I should really have a chocolate sponsor”. I mean, Red’s got sponsors for all his snowboard gear, why shouldn’t I have sponsors for my most used ingredients. Yeah, I should, totally logical thinking, right?
Right, right. But really, I go through way too much chocolate and it always seems like I am out every time I NEED it. Actually, I feel like that with most things. And by things, I mean food. Ingredients really.
It seems I can never get enough of everything I need for the week in just one trip. I either forget to put something on my list, or (for whatever reason) don’t look at my list or simply forget my list entirely (yes, leave it at home). Yeah, yeah that’s me. Either that or I am not planned out well enough to know everything I will need for one WHOLE week (cause that’s a long time!). <–this is more likely the issue.
I think the bottom line is that I would like to have a grocery store (and a very well stocked one with only the freshest produce, meat and dairy…what? Yeah, I am kind of snobby when it comes to food) as my walk in pantry. That would be such a blessing.
What do you think? Can we make that happen? Prince Charming has lots of money doesn’t he? Where is my Prince Charming when I need him?
Too bad. I think I am on my own with this one…
SO Annnnyywayyyy.
These spicy sesame basil noodles are the final Chinese meal of the week. Enter giant sad face, but then enter a happy face because today is the Chinese New Year – and it’s Thursday! Ya hooo!!
These noodles are kind of dreamy…oops, meant to say creamy, but dreamy totally works too. They’re lighting quick to make, think like Lightning McQueen (sorry, Cars was Asher’s favorite movie for quite a long while). Just twenty minutes and you are done. Yeah!
And the flavors are so good. They’re spicy, a little tangy and full of that yummy toasted sesame flavor. I also added some basil AND some peanuts because one, I had both on hand, and two, I love them both so much. Plus, I sort of feel like every Chinese/Asian meal should be topped with either, peanuts, cashews, sesame or a combo. I love my toppings though… clearly.
This recipe is just so easy that there is not a lot to say about it. Other than it’s delicious, carb filled and kind of cozy on these freezing colds nights we are all experiencing (it’s supposed to go down to -16 in Cleveland tonight!). Oh, and you can even take the leftovers to work the next day. Double meal baby!! Plus, these noodles are like health food, and you can make them even healthier by using a whole grain or rice noodle. Nice!!!
Oh and um, also? You should know that I went to great lengths to get those little Chinese takeout boxes. Think four different Chinese restaurants, on a Saturday, in a ski town that was so packed full of people it was probably over the limit for the number of people that can safely occupy the town limits. Anyway, they cost me fifty cents too, AND… I had the lovely pleasure of smelling like wonton soup for the rest of the day!
All in the name of a good photo though…so it was worth it.
And do not ask me why there are Coca Cola bottles in these photos. I just really do not know.
Spicy Sesame Basil Noodles.
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 641 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound linguine or other egg noodle pasta use gluten free if needed
- 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil divided
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 6 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hot chili oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
- 2 carrots cut into matchsticks
- 4 cups mung bean sprouts
- 4 ounces mushrooms sliced
- 8 green onions chopped
- 1/3 cup fresh basil chopped
- 1/2 cup roasted peanuts roughly chopped
- sesame seeds for topping
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta until al dente, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.
- In a bowl or glass measuring cup combine 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, the tahini, soy sauce, hot chili oil, balsamic vinegar and brown sugar.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium high heat. Add remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Add the ginger and garlic, cook about 30 seconds and then toss in the carrots, mung bean sprouts and mushrooms. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the veggies are tender crisp.
- Add the noodles and toss well until combined with the veggies and warm through, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat and add in the sauce from the glass measuring cup or bowl, toss well. Add the basil, green onions and peanuts, toss again. Serve warm or at room temperature (I like this best warm!!), topped with toasted sesame seeds, hot chili oil and hot red chilies.
Happy Chinese New Year!!! Eat some good Chinese food tonight. It’s a must!
haha, totally agree – the first line of a blog post always gives me pause…I like yours! And I like these noodles. A big bowl like this is so satisfying!
Thanks Katrina!
Definitely making something similar to this for dinner!! 🙂
Thanks!! 🙂
Wow! This looks fantastic Tieghan. I will be making this very soon that’s for sure! I think I have most ingredients too!
Thanks Kathy!
I am pretty sure that a walk in pantry with all the fresh produce, dairy. cheese and chocolate would be a dream come true. Can we start finding a sponsor for that?!
Yes, lets!!
They know me by name at my grocery store, sort of embarassing… But I started keeping my grocery list on my phone because I was always forgetting things!
Right?!? Mine too! 🙂
Thanks!
I’m with you, Tieghan. The first line of a post IS always the hardest! But do you know what isn’t difficult? My decision to make these noodles STAT! Seriously, I don’t know how you make incredible food day after day, but I love it! Gorgeous photos, as always!
Thank you so much! Hoping you are having a great Friday!
I am big on noodles, and these look so yummy! I would have them for breakfast!
Thanks Suzy!! Have a great weekend!
This looks amazing. And I have a really bad habit of going to the grocery store like 4 times a week. I should really be more organized. But it’s hard. And when you run out of chocolate, you gotta make that extra trip to re-stock!
Love the nuts and sesame seeds addition. I am also a snob when it comes to food. Hey, nothing wrong with wanting the best for our bellies, am I right?????
RIGHT! 🙂
Thanks Mariana!
Thanks so much for your nice recipe.
Thanks! Hope you love it!
Love the noodle recipe and everything goes better with coke.
On my 11 mile drive to work I pass 5 super size grocery stories which I have to make pit stops at during the week because I always forget something or I need more fruit–ugh.
At least it is one the way…i guess? 🙂
Thanks Nancy!
Woow.. these sesame basil noodles look so delicious! Happy Chinese New Year!
Thanks Mary! Happy Chinese New Year!!
Will stop for ingredients later…..a hot day in Johannesburg….but a good dish to end a busy work day. Thank you.
Hope you love them!! THANKS!
I absolutely love this recipe! And the Chinese takeout boxes you found too. I have never seen them in stores here either, so getting a hold of them would indeed be quite a task. But it is the best way to eat your noodles in the end 😉
Can’t agree more. 🙂
Thanks Tom!!
Thanks!
Um, why is everything about this post 100% something I deal with too!! I swear I’m in a perpetual state of needing more eggs and butter–or maybe that’s just a statement about what kind of cooking I do.
Anywho, this recipe looks amazeballs and the Chinese takeout boxes were completely worth it. They make food look next level delicious 🙂
Haha! Thank you so much!!