Midweek Budget Noodles recipe

Midweek Budget Noodles

These noodles are a staple at our place. Think simple, tasty and versatile. What’s more, they give takeaway vibes when we’re craving it but need to watch our pennies. 
You can keep the base of the recipe (the sauce and noodles) the same each time but change up the veg depending on what’s in the fridge.  Pictured are my budget noodles with roasted mushrooms and pan-fried broccoli but I’ve also made them with: 

• carrot and green capsicum
• corn, spring onions and bean sprouts  
• red capsicum, tofu and zucchini

For my meat-eating friends, you might like to buy a supermarket roast chook to have on the side or even shred and mix through with the veg and noodles. So good! 

Serves 4

• 500g instant noodles
• Half a small brown onion
• 1 x clove of garlic
• 3 cups of broccoli florets
• 2 cups of sliced button mushrooms
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp kapis manis (sweet soy sauce)
• 2 tbsp oyster Sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tsp vegetable oil for frying

Method: 

• Pre-heat your oven to 220C or 200 fan-forced.  Line an oven tray with baking paper and evenly spread the sliced mushrooms out. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle a little salt and pepper, then pop in the oven for around 15 minutes. When they’re done, remove from the oven and set aside. 
• While your mushrooms are in the oven, combine the soy sauce, kapis manis, oyster sauce, sugar, and sesame oil in a glass jug or jar and stir to combine.  Set aside.
• Cut the onion into thin strips, chop your garlic and give your broccoli a good wash under a cold tap.
• Soak the instant noodles in hot water from the kettle for 1 minute. Drain and set aside.
• Heat up a non-stick wok or large fry pan until very hot and add your vegetable oil. Now add the sliced onion, garlic and broccoli florets. Stir and toss for around 30 seconds, then take everything out and set aside. 
• Turn down the heat and add the noodles, pan fry for around 3-5 minutes. Move them around carefully with chopsticks so they don’t all stick together. The surface of the noodles will be slightly golden and crispy.
• Now, switch to a high heat and add your sauce. Mix everything well for around 1 minute, then add the veggies and stir-fry for about 30 seconds. When the noodles are elastic and there’s no sauce left in the pan, your meal is ready!

Image

Photo credit: Paula @anewgreenleafofficial