Food Matters: Noodles with Spicy Vegetable Stir-Fry

This was really super tasty and is a great way to use up a fridge full of random vegetables! I also think it is very kid-friendly, depending on the spice level.

Noodles with Spicy Vegetable Stir-Fry
*adapted from Mark Bittman's The Food Matters Cookbook

Makes: 4-5 servings
Time: 30-45 minutes

Salt
2 Tbs vegetable oil
1 large onion, halved and sliced (or 1/2 large onion and a few green onions)
1 cup diced carrot
2 Tbs minced garlic
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
Grated zest of 1 lime
1 1/2 lbs eggplant, zucchini, summer squash or other veggies, peeled as necessary and chopped
8 oz. whole grain noodles (I used whole wheat spaghetti)
1 cup light coconut milk
1/3 cup peanut butter, softened in microwave for 10-20 seconds
1 Tbs honey, optional
3 Tbs light soy sauce
Black pepper
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Lime wedges

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Put the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the onion and carrot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened - about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, jalapeno and lime zest. Add the rest of the veggies. Cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat so the veggies cook quickly without burning, 10-20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, cook the noodles in boiling water until tender (use package directions depending on the type of noodle). Drain the noodles and reserve some of the cooking water.

3. Whisk together the coconut milk, peanut butter, honey and soy sauce in a bowl. Add the coconut mixture and noodles to the skillet with the veggies and toss. Add cooking water if needed to moisten or thin the sauce. Sprinkle with pepper and adjust the seasoning. Serve hot, garnished with cilantro and lime wedges. (I always stir in the garnish!)

Notes / Tips:
- This is a very filling dish!
- Err on the side of more vegetables rather than fewer. I thought ours was a little saucy and could have used even more vegetables. This would stretch it to 5-6 servings, too.
- I like whole wheat pasta as much as regular, but if your kids don't, this is still a good place to use it. The peanut butter sauce hides the color of the pasta!
- Leftovers are good hot or cold. :)