Spring Soba Pad Thai

Looking for a delicious dish that is perfect for spring? This Spring Soba Pad Thai is tasty and quick to put together. The base of the dish is whole grain buckwheat soba noodles and of course, plenty of asparagus!

Spring Soba Pad Thai

Serves 6

Ingredients:

1 pkg (9.6 ounces) soba noodles

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoon brown sugar

6 tablespoons rice vinegar

6 tablespoons lite soy sauce

2 tablespoons sesame oil

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 cup hot water

½ cup scallions, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

4 cups of asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 cup frozen peas

2 tablespoons lime juice

½ cup chopped peanuts

Directions:

Prepare soba noodles per the package.

To make the sauce whisk together the peanut butter, ginger, garlic, brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Then once combined, slowly whisk in the hot water. Set the sauce mixture aside.

In a wok heat the canola oil and add the scallions and cook for 1 minute. Then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the eggs and stir to scramble, about 2 minutes or until soft cooked. Then add the asparagus and peas and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often.

Add the drained noodles and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the liquid has been absorbed. Stir in the lime juice. When serving garnish with the chopped peanuts and serve.

Peanut Caramel & Dark Chocolate Bites

These peanut caramel & dark chocolate bites are absolutely delicious and a tasty treat. Plus they are simple to put together!

First make this simple caramel sauce made from palm sugar (recipe below), coconut palm sugar has a lower glycemic index compared to table sugar (sucrose).

Then combine the Medjool dates, peanuts, and caramel sauce in the food processor or high-powered blender.

Roll into 1" bites and then dip in melted dark chocolate or skip the chocolate (although they taste really delicious with a thin chocolate coating!). Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze for 1 - 2 hours or until the chocolate is hardened. Then transfer to a air tight container and keep frozen or refrigerated. Although, personally I think that they taste amazing when frozen!

Peanut Caramel & Dark Chocolate Bites

Yield 24 bites (about 1 oz each)

Ingredients:

1/3 cup coconut palm sugar

1 tablespoon corn starch

2/3 cup milk

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 container of Medjool dates, pitted (12 oz)

1 cup dry roasted peanuts, unsalted

1 dark chocolate bar (3 oz), melted

Directions:

1. Prepare caramel sauce: In a small sauce pan combine palm sugar, corn starch, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a light boil over medium heat, stirring throughout. Continue to cook for 1 - 3 minutes, until the mixture has thickened. Remove from heat. 

2. In a food processor or high-powered blender combine the Medjool dates, peanuts, and caramel sauce. Pulse to combine the mixture, until the peanuts are chopped and the mixture is sticky. Refrigerate the mixture for 30 - 60 minutes to help it firm up. 

3. Roll the mixture into 1" bites and then dip in the melted chocolate. Place on a baking sheet that has been prepared with parchment paper. Then freeze for 1 - 2 hours to let the chocolate harden and transfer to a air-tight container and freeze or refrigerate. 

Nutrition facts per bite (34 g): 110 calories, 4.5 grams fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0 mg sodium, 18 g carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 15 grams sugar, 2 grams protein