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Spicy Beef, Pepper & Asparagus Udon Noodles
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Spicy Beef, Pepper & Asparagus Udon Noodles
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Recipe: Spicy Beef, Pepper & Asparagus Udon Noodles. Actually, the udon noodles are the best. So slippery, perfectly chewy noodles soaked up in the slurp-worthy sauce. YUM!
Recipe Description
If it’s true that you are what you eat, then I have turned into a 5’6″ asparagus spear.
It’s the beginning of asparagus season and with Stockton & Isleton (California’s asparagus capitals) just about an hour away, little green stalks are starting to sprout in markets all over the place. One of my local stores recently had asparagus on sale for just $0.97/lb. and because I’m such a huge fan, I couldn’t resist buying a few bunches. For me, new asparagus in markets is a clear signal that spring has indeed arrived. And after making do with frozen veggies & fruits all winter long, I am beyond excited to sink my teeth into something fresh & green.
And that’s what I’ve been doing pretty much non-stop. I’ve had my asparagus with poached eggs for brunch. I’ve had them in salads. Heck, I’ve even taken to just zapping a few stalks in the microwave for one minute, drizzling them with olive oil and a quick sprinkle of lemon pepper, and snacking in asparagus-loving bliss.
But these are all mild, safe asparagus pairings, and I know that these tender green stalks are capable of so much more. So with the help of some sweet red peppers and a few other ingredients, I created a quick, delicious dish that shows that asparagus can be pretty darned sassy when it wants to be.
Since I’m still pretty noodle-obsessed these days, I’ve been tossing asparagus & noodles together. A lot. My first Mushroom Channel recipe (featured this week) was actually for Five Spice Mushrooms & Asparagus with Udon Noodles. It was phenomenal. So easy, yet so packed with flavor & different textures that I ended it up having it for dinner three nights in a row last week. The best part about that one was that all three servings came from the same $8 recipe!
This time around I wanted an equally intense flavor but a lot more heat. Not wanting to part from my udon noodles, I stuck with those and added some lean flank steak for my protein fix. I kept the sauce relatively simple – some soy sauce, cooking wine, and a bit of brown sugar – but amped up the heat with a healthy dose of crushed red chilies.
With the tender asparagus, bright red peppers, and crisp purple onions, this dish was a fabulous explosion of colors, textures, and flavors. It’s a wee bit more expensive than the Five Spice Mushrooms & Asparagus recipe, but every bit as delicious. Not a meat-eater? Simply omit the steak or swap it out with some tofu or mushrooms and you’re good to go.
Details Recipe Information
- Prepare: 10 Mins
- Cook: 15 Mins
- Difficult: Easy
- Serving: 3 people
- Cost per serving: $3
- Nutrition: for each serving
- Calories: 302.8
- Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 14.3mg
- Sodium: 419.1mg
- Potassium: 463.7mg
- Carbohydrates: 33.7g
- Protein: 11.1g
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz. package dried udon noodles
- 10 oz. lean flank steak
- 1 large red bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1/2 lb fresh asparagus, cut into 1″ pieces
- 1/2 large red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp cooking oil, divided
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 3 tbsp cooking wine
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp crushed red chile flakes
- 1/2 tbsp ground ginger
- Salt & pepper
Method
Step 1
Cook the noodles according to package instructions. Drain, drizzle with a bit of oil to prevent them from sticking together and cover to keep warm. While the noodles are cooking, whisk together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
Step 2
Cut the beef along the grain into 2″ wide strips. Season with salt & pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the garlic. Cook quickly until it just begins to brown, then add the beef. Allow the beef to cook undisturbed for about a minute or so, allowing it to start searing. Then stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until browned but not completely cooked through. Remove the beef from the skillet & set on a plate.
Step 3
In the same skillet, heat the remaining oil, then add the onions, peppers, and asparagus. Stir-fry for 1 minute, then return the beef & any accumulated juices to the skillet. Continue to stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, or until the beef is cooked through but not tough. Add the cooked noodles and sauce, and toss together until completely combined.
Step 4
Serve immediately either family style or in individual bowls, and enjoy!
Further Reading:
- Recipe: Linguine with Creamy Scallion Pesto
- Recipe: Morels & Spring Vegetables in Fillo “Flower Pots”
- Recipe: Red Quinoa & Spring Herb Tabbouleh
- Recipe: Curry Chicken Tacos with Thai Cucumber Relish
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