Description
Sesame kale noodles bring Asian-inspired comfort to your dinner table, combining silky noodles with crisp greens and nutty sesame notes. Hearty yet light, this dish offers a quick, satisfying meal that connects global flavors with simple, wholesome ingredients you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) noodles (ramen, soba, rice noodles, or spaghetti)
- 2 cups kale, chopped (stems removed)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon tahini or peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Garnish Ingredients:
- Chopped green onions
- Extra sesame seeds
- Crushed peanuts or cashews (optional)
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of generously salted water and submerge the noodles, cooking them until they reach a tender yet firm consistency.
- Drain the noodles thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to halt the cooking process, then gently coat with sesame oil to prevent clumping.
- Warm a spacious skillet over medium heat, introducing a delicate drizzle of sesame oil to the pan’s surface.
- Quickly infuse the oil with minced garlic and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, allowing the aromatics to bloom and release their intense fragrance for approximately 30 seconds.
- Introduce the chopped kale into the skillet, stirring and tossing until the leaves soften and transform into a vibrant, emerald-green canvas.
- In a separate mixing vessel, orchestrate the sesame sauce by whisking together soy sauce, rice vinegar, additional sesame oil, tahini, maple syrup, freshly grated ginger, and a generous scattering of sesame seeds until the mixture becomes silky and harmonious.
- Transfer the perfectly cooked noodles into the skillet with the kale, then cascade the prepared sesame sauce over the ingredients.
- Gently maneuver the noodles and kale, ensuring every strand is lavishly coated with the sauce, allowing the flavors to meld together over low heat.
- Artfully divide the noodles among serving dishes, crowning each portion with a sprinkle of sliced green onions, an extra dusting of sesame seeds, and a crunchy garnish of crushed peanuts.
- Finish with a vibrant squeeze of lime juice and serve immediately while the dish remains gloriously warm.
Notes
- Swap regular noodles with gluten-free or zucchini noodles for a lighter, diet-friendly version that accommodates gluten sensitivities and reduces carbohydrate intake.
- Toast sesame seeds before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile that elevates the entire dish.
- Massage kale with a bit of olive oil before cooking to soften its tough texture and reduce bitterness, making it more tender and palatable for those who find raw kale challenging.
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free alternative that maintains the rich umami flavor while catering to dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg