In the Mood For Thai?

If you love Thai food then you just might love this recipe. It is a recipe for Thai Noodles With Beef and Basil by Whole Foods Market. I love Thai food occasionally, and most definitely love noodles, so this recipe really comes in handy when my mood strikes for Thai food . As always switch out regular ingredients with organic ingredients. Also, don’t forget to check out Wednesday’s Quick Tip below.

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:

• 10 ounces dried flat rice noodles
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil, divided
• 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 bunch basil
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 3 serrano chiles, seeded and chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 3/4 pound beef bottom round steak (pepper steak cut), cut into thin strips
• 5 green onions, green parts only, thinly sliced
• 2 limes, cut into wedges

Method:
Cook noodles according to package instructions, then drain and cool. In a large bowl, mix noodles with 1 tablespoon of the oil and soy sauce. Set aside.

Roughly chop 8 large basil leaves, then transfer them to a mortar. Add garlic, chiles and a pinch of salt and grind with a pestle until a paste forms. (If you have no mortar and pestle, mince all ingredients together as finely as possible.) In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and the fish sauce together; set aside.

Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet. Add garlic-serrano paste and cook, stirring often, for about 1 minute or until fragrant. Season beef with salt and pepper, then add to skillet and cook until brown, stirring constantly, about 4 minutes. Add sugar mixture, stir and let cook for 1 to 2 minutes more. Add noodles and toss until heated through, then add 2 to 3 tablespoons water if it appears sauce is drying up. Once heated through, remove skillet from the heat and add remaining basil leaves. Toss again until lightly wilted, then serve immediately, garnished with green onions and lime wedges.

Nutrition:
Per Serving (151g-wt.): 400 calories (120 from fat), 13g total fat, 2.5g saturated fat, 22g protein, 46g total carbohydrate (less than 1g dietary fiber, 5g sugar), 50mg cholesterol, 830mg sodium

Wednesday’s Quick Tip: Reduce the amount of energy you use more by using your air-conditioner less. Turn a ceiling fan on and keep doors closed so cool air doesn’t leave the house. Also, curtains helps a lot with blocking sunlight from a room. Planting trees near your house will help to shade it as well, and in turn keep the house cooler.

jennl | My Bio & Articles

Jennifer is a freelance writer, and has written for various health and environmental blogs, which includes running her own green living blog. Currently she is studying to become a C++ Programmer.