Start the year off on a healthy and delicious note with these warm zoodles tossed with a creamy sesame peanut sauce!
In a former life, a professor, whose true value would become apparent to me only much later, quipped in regards to a paper I had submitted “If you aim high, you miss high.” I didn’t fully understand, since I had received a perfect score. When I questioned his meaning, he replied, “It was boringly perfect. Because there is nothing for me to criticize or question, it means that you took no risks. Without risks there is only sameness, and sameness leads to stagnation.”
Needless to say, that bit of advice has stuck with me. For example, the ‘boringly perfect’ thing to do at the start of a New Year is to make a Resolution aimed directly at one’s waistline…following, oddly, a New Year’s Eve of waist-unfriendly overindulgence. From sinner to saint in less than twelve hours, as the saying goes.
Now, I’ve chronicled my own similarly themed Resolutions here on Living the Gourmet, aimed at fitness and other various forms of self-perfection, and while they all began well-intentioned and in much earnest, people rarely change overnight – especially when the preceding night was the backdrop to purposeful overindulgence.
With that in mind, I decided to start the New Year off with something that, while being a ‘healthier’ choice, nevertheless didn’t taste or look at all like something eaten for the sake of ‘Resolution.’ Naturally, that brings us to today’s recipe – Zoodles with Thai Sesame Peanut Sauce.
To start things off, we begin by shredding together two medium sized zucchinis with a carrot through a ‘spiralizer,’ and then set the resulting ‘spiralized shreds’ in a strainer lined with paper towels. If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can use a peeler and shave the zucchinis and carrots into thin ribbons one at a time. However, be sure to continually turn the vegetable so that you are shaving at an angle otherwise you’ll end up with very wide ‘noodles.’
While the noodles strain, combine all of the ingredients listed below for the sauce, and whisk that together until it’s nice and smooth. Then heat a large skillet with oil, and saute the zoodles for about three minutes. You don’t want these to be overcooked in the slightest, lest you’ll end up with very literal mush. Then toss in the sesame peanut sauce, and you’ve got a New Year’s Resolution friendly entrée that doesn’t taste or look at all like a Resolution recipe.
Sesame Peanut Zoodles
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 large carrot
For the Thai Sesame Peanut Sauce:
- 1/4 cup all natural creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons tahini paste
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon teriyaki
- 2 teaspoons sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Zest of 1/2 lemon
- 1 large clove garlic, grated
- 1/2 inch piece ginger root, grated
- 2-3 tablespoons almond milk
Instructions
- Shred the zucchini and carrot through your spiralizer and place in a strainer lined with paper towels. Set aside.
- Combine all ingredients for the sesame peanut sauce in a bowl and whisk together until smooth.
- Heat a large skillet with oil and saute the zoodles and carrot for 3-5 minutes only until al dente.
- Toss with the sesame peanut sauce and serve!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
Enjoy with Love! 1
Liz says
What a marvelous, healthy recipe!!! Can't wait to try it!! P.S. I wish I could write as "boringly perfect" as you do! xoxo
Claudia Lamascolo says
I love everything about this dish especially the ITalian colors!
Big Daddy Dave says
Catherine, Sounds interesting...but then again I love a spicy peanut sauce on many things! Our version of healthy dieting is the delay, don't deny diet. We eat whatever we want during a 4 hour window every day. The trick is that you can't eat that much in a short period of time so your stomach shrinks and while you're still enjoying all of the foods that you like, you are losing weight. Of course, these healthy noodles instead of carbs would speed up the process! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
This is amazing. I have always been fascinated with the zoodles. This sesame peanut sauce is all I need to try this. Absolutely love the flavors in the sauce and it is a great one for beginner to try the low carb recipe.
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
I love zoodles, they are a perfect low carb option. This peanut sauce sounds like it's the perfect sauce for zoodles.
Veena Azmanov says
Love the sound of tahini and peanut butter in there. I love some creamy noodles and the flavor in these sound delicious.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
YUP....I love my zoodle maker...and peanut sauce. Sounds so delicious. Healthy eating is on my radar...and this is perfect.
Sarah says
What a great version of sesame peanut noodles! I love both them and zucchini! Sounds so fantastic!
Adriana Lopez Martin says
I enjoy peanut sauce and ten combined with zoodles that is a great idea! Must do this dish soon. Light and so impressive.
Helene says
The sauce sounds super exciting and looks so creamy! I have never tried anything like this so I am curious how it must taste. I would definitely want to make this for a change. I like that your zoodles are differently colored too with zucchini and carrot zoodles. 🙂
Noel Lizotte says
What a great solution to wanting to eat healthier but also wanting food that is interesting and appealing. Nobody likes to eat boring diet food. Packed full of flavor like this, dishes are just what we want.
Deepika says
These are packed with so much of flavor. A great way to add more vegetables to the family's diet. Trying it soon.
Chiara says
Sounds so delicious and healthy , can't wait to try !Have a nice week my dear, xoxo
swathi says
This Zoodles calling my name, love this peanut seamse zoodes, not only healthy but also delicious. You are tempting me to bu y a spiralizer Zucchini and carrot makes wonderful combo.
Molly Kumar says
I looove doodles n probably eat it 2-3 times a month & this would be a great addition to my next zoodle meal. I’m loving the creamy sesame sauce!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
We do love our spiralizer. In fact we have a mini one that we travel with. I haven't tried a carrot through it though. This recipe has inspired me to give it a go.
Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says
It does seem odd that we truly believe we can make a resolution and change overnight. That said, I think something that does work to have a personal resolve and go full force into it. Either way, this dish looks and sounds absolutely delightful. I love that you've put zoodles with a peanut sauce. YUM!
Jessica Robinson says
Your pics are gorgeous! This recipe sounds so flavorful and healthy too!
Marie - Not Enough Cinnamon says
That's some powerful words - so wise and very true. And... I want a bowl of these for dinner please!! 😉
Amy Nash says
Mmmm, I'm loving the flavors in these zoodles! We eat zoodles year round because I just love them so much! I mean, I started eating them to "be healthier" but then I kept doing it because I prefer them to regular pasta, lol!
Pam says
This looks just wonderful! A spiralizer is next on my list of gadgets. I can't believe I've gone this long without one.
Debra C. says
So delicious, what a great guilt free choice! Your sauce for the noodles sounds so creamy - peanut, creamy goodness!
Harvey Harris says
This is a nice and healthy delicacy. I need to have a healthy diet. Maintaining a healthy diet is very important to our health.