30 Minute Meal: Easy Asian Noodles

It is Tuesday and after a field trip with thirty-four five year olds, I am tired, hungry, and most importantly I needed dinner to be ready.  And fast!  This is one of those meals that comes together so quickly and is quite satisfying.  The key to this recipe are the Yaki-Soba noodles that you can find in the refrigerated section of the grocery store near the tofu and other refrigerated asian noodles. The coconut milk creates a creamy, light sauce.  Like most "Cooking Girl" recipes, this one can be easily adjusted according to what you and your family like to eat.  Add more veggies, use a different protein, or simply make the noodles.  

Ingredients (serves 2 with leftovers):

Fresh Yaki-Soba Noodles with Seasoning Sauce (these come with 3 packages of noodles inside each bag.  I use all three packages and all three sauce packages for this recipe.)

4 carrots, finely chopped

4 scallions, finely chopped

1 cup of fresh spinach

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 can of light coconut milk

1 tbs. of soy sauce

2 tbs. of toasted sesame seeds (You can find these in the asian food aisle at your grocery store.  They come already toasted and are very affordable.  I add them to almost all of my asian dishes and they add a great nutty flavor.)

10 raw shrimp (peeled and deveined) 

salt and pepper

olive oil or sesame oil

optional: You can use chicken or beef instead of the shrimp if you like.  You can also add other vegetables to this dish such as bean sprouts, bok choy, and mushrooms.  I cook for a very picky husband, so I kept the recipe very simple.  

Directions:

Saute carrots and scallions until tender in a bit of olive oil or sesame oil if you have it.  Add garlic and continue cooking for 30 seconds (do not burn garlic!)  Add the shrimp, lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper, and saute for 2 minutes (it is okay if the shrimp aren't fully cooked at this point.)  Add the coconut milk, soy sauce, and the seasoning packets.  Combine and let come to a simmer.  Add the noodles, breaking them up with your fingers as you add them to the pan.  Reduce heat, combine, and simmer for about 5 minutes.  The sauce will thicken and reduce.  Add the spinach during the last minute of cooking.  Once spinach has wilted, sprinkle with 1 tbs. of sesame seeds.  Taste and add more soy sauce if you feel it needs a bit more salt.  Divide amongst your dishes and sprinkle remaining sesame seeds.  Done!  

Now go eat.