Garlic Sesame Noodles Recipe Delight

Introduction

Garlic Sesame Noodles is a delightful dish that brings together the rich flavors of flank steak, fresh vegetables, and savory sauces. This easy-to-make recipe, perfect for a weeknight dinner, delivers an explosion of taste with every bite. Whether enjoyed alone or as a side dish, these noodles are sure to please everyone at the table.

Detailed Ingredients with measures

2 (5.6-ounce) packages refrigerated Yaki-Soba noodles (seasoning sauce packets discarded)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced across the grain

1 red bell pepper, sliced

1 carrot, thinly sliced

1 head broccoli, cut into florets

1 green onion, thinly sliced

½ teaspoon sesame seeds

For the Sauce:

¼ cup reduced sodium soy sauce

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed

1 tablespoon sambal oelek (ground fresh chili paste), or more to taste

1 tablespoon oyster sauce

1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

1 teaspoon sesame oil

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time, Total Time, Yield

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: Serves 4

Instructions

1. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar, sambal oelek, oyster sauce, grated ginger, and sesame oil. Set aside.

2. Cook the Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the Yaki-Soba noodles and cook until loosened, about 1-2 minutes. Drain well and set aside.

3. Cook the Steak: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced flank steak and cook, flipping once, until browned, approximately 3-4 minutes. Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.

4. Cook the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the sliced red bell pepper and carrot. Cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 3-4 minutes.

5. Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked Yaki-Soba noodles, broccoli florets, and the prepared sauce to the skillet. Stir well to combine and cook until the broccoli is tender and the sauce has slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.

6. Add the Steak: Return the cooked steak to the skillet and stir until heated through and evenly coated with the sauce, about 1 minute.

7. Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with sliced green onion and sesame seeds, if desired.

Detailed Directions and Instructions

Prepare the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar, sambal oelek, oyster sauce, grated ginger, and sesame oil. Set aside.

Cook the Noodles

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the Yaki-Soba noodles and cook until loosened, about 1-2 minutes. Drain well and set aside.

Cook the Steak

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced flank steak and cook, flipping once, until browned, approximately 3-4 minutes. Remove the steak from the skillet and set aside.

Cook the Vegetables

In the same skillet, add the sliced red bell pepper and carrot. Cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 3-4 minutes.

Combine Ingredients

Add the cooked Yaki-Soba noodles, broccoli florets, and the prepared sauce to the skillet. Stir well to combine and cook until the broccoli is tender and the sauce has slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.

Add the Steak

Return the cooked steak to the skillet and stir until heated through and evenly coated with the sauce, about 1 minute.

Serve

Serve immediately, garnished with sliced green onion and sesame seeds, if desired.

Notes

Yaki-Soba are ramen-style noodles and can typically be found in the refrigerated aisle of your local grocery store.

Cook Techniques

Preparing the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the various ingredients to create a balanced and flavorful sauce that complements the dish.

Cooking the Noodles

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the Yaki-Soba noodles, and cook until they are loosened. Drain them well to prepare for mixing with other ingredients.

Cooking the Steak

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and add thinly sliced flank steak. Cook until browned, ensuring it’s flipped once for even cooking, and then set aside.

Cooking the Vegetables

In the same skillet used for the steak, stir-fry the sliced red bell pepper and carrot until they become tender while frequently stirring.

Combining Ingredients

Add the cooked noodles, broccoli florets, and the prepared sauce to the skillet. Stir well to combine, cooking until the broccoli is tender and the sauce thickens slightly.

Finishing the Dish

Return the cooked steak to the skillet, stirring until everything is heated through and well-coated with the sauce.

Serving

Serve the dish immediately, garnishing with sliced green onion and sesame seeds for added flavor and presentation.

FAQ

Can I substitute Yaki-Soba noodles with another type of noodle?

Yes, you can use other Asian noodles such as soba or udon, but cooking times may vary.

Is this recipe easy to make for beginners?

Yes, the recipe is straightforward and uses basic cooking techniques, making it accessible for beginner cooks.

How spicy is the dish with sambal oelek?

The spiciness can be adjusted based on personal preference; start with a small amount and add more to taste.

Can I add more vegetables to this recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to incorporate additional vegetables like snap peas, mushrooms, or bok choy.

How can I make this dish vegetarian?

You can replace the flank steak with tofu or additional vegetables and substitute the oyster sauce with a vegetarian alternative.

Conclusion

The Garlic Sesame Noodles with flank steak and vibrant vegetables is a quick, flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. The combination of savory sauce, tender steak, and al dente noodles makes for a satisfying meal that can be customized with your favorite ingredients. Enjoy this dish as is, or explore variations to suit your taste.

Vegetable Variations

Incorporate different vegetables such as snap peas, bok choy, or zucchini for a fresh twist.

Protein Alternatives

Swap flank steak for chicken, shrimp, or tofu to cater to different dietary preferences.

Spice it Up

Add more sambal oelek or chili flakes to increase the heat, or incorporate a splash of sriracha for an extra kick.

Vegan Option

Use vegetable broth instead of oyster sauce and replace the flank steak with marinated tofu or tempeh to create a delicious vegan version.

Nutty Flavor Additions

Include chopped peanuts or cashews as a topping for an added crunch and nutty flavor.

Herb Enhancements

Fresh herbs like cilantro or basil can elevate the dish with additional layers of flavor.