Black Pepper Stir Fried Udon

Black Pepper Stir-Fried Udon: A Quick and Flavorful Weeknight Meal

Craving a satisfying and speedy dinner? Look no further than Black Pepper Stir-Fried Udon! This dish is packed with bold pepper flavor, savory-sweet sauce, and tender udon noodles. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re looking for a satisfying yet light meal.

Ingredients:

• For the Sauce:
  • 3 tablespoons dark soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• For the Stir-Fry:
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil (vegetable, peanut, etc.)
  • 2 cups stir-fry vegetables (broccoli florets, bell peppers, snow peas, etc.)
  • 2 (7-ounce) packages pre-cooked udon noodles (thick and chewy)
  • 1-2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• For Garnish (optional):
  • Chopped scallions
  • Toasted sesame seeds

Cooking Guide:

1. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar. Set aside.
2. Stir-Fry the Vegetables: Heat oil in a large wok or pan over high heat. Add your chosen stir-fry vegetables and cook until tender-crisp, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. Cook the Udon: Add the udon noodles to the hot pan and cook for 1-2 minutes, tossing occasionally, to heat through.
4. Combine and Season: Pour the prepared sauce into the pan with the noodles. Toss to coat evenly. Add the reserved vegetables back to the pan and cook for another minute.
5. Season with Pepper: Season generously with freshly cracked black pepper to your desired level of spiciness.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Garnish with chopped scallions and toasted sesame seeds (optional). Serve immediately.

Tips:

• Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to swap out the suggested vegetables for your favorites. Bell peppers, carrots, snap peas, or baby corn would all work well.
• Protein Boost: Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu to the stir-fry for an extra protein punch.
• Spice it Up: If you like it even hotter, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the black pepper.
• Leftovers: Leftovers will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of water or broth to avoid drying out.
• No Pre-Cooked Udon? You can use fresh udon noodles. Simply cook them according to package instructions before adding them to the stir-fry.