Trying to satiate your hunger in university is hard! Between juggling classes, studying, social life, a job, etc., it can be really hard to make time for a meal that could actually be considered proper food. For many of us, it’s impossible to count the number of ramen packets we’ve cracked open over this past year.

Why not throw away the sodium overload and try something else? Still quick and easy – and still noodles – this recipe for peanut butter soba noodles won’t only fill you up but will give you some nutrition to boot!

In total, this recipe should only take around 20 minutes of your time, as you can do prep and cooking within the same time.

For this recipe you’ll need:

• 1 bundle of soba noodles* (the packs at the store usually have preset portions of 100g each, enough for 1-2 people)
• 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (optional)
• ½ cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
• Sauce
  • 3 tbsp peanut butter
  • ~1 tsp grated or minced ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, grated**
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • ½ tsp white pepper (substitute with black pepper if you don’t have this)
  • Pinch of salt
• Garnishes
  • 1 green onion, sliced
  • 1 thai green chili pepper, sliced (optional)

This recipe is super customizable and you can adjust the ingredients to your heart’s delight. The most important part is the sauce, which is the base of the whole dish. Sub the veggies and garnishes for any of your favourites (do add vegetables though, you need your nutrients!). What I use here is just what I usually have in my fridge and freezer. 

Cooking steps

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat
2. Wash and prepare any vegetables being cooked with the noodles
3. Prepare your sauce: combine all ingredients listed for the sauce and mix until a smooth consistency is achieved (it will look way too thick but we’ll fix it later)
4. Once your water is boiling, add noodles and vegetables*** to the pot. DO NOT add the spinach until the last minute of cooking! Cook noodles according to package directions, usually 3 minutes.
5. While cooking, add some noodle water to the peanut sauce to help loosen the consistency
6. In the last minute of cooking, add your spinach to quickly blanch it before serving
7. Once noodles and vegetables are cooked, drain and toss with sauce
8. Plate the noodles (or don’t) and top with green onion and chili
9. Serve and enjoy! I find these noodles are best served warm. 

Recipe notes:

*  You can really use any type of noodles for this recipe, soba is just a more nutritionally complex alternative to wheat-based noodles. Use instant noodles if you must, but leave out the seasoning packet.

** Grating the garlic ensures the best flavour and consistency.

*** I boil the vegetables with the noodles to save time. If you have more time you can pan fry the vegetables, which will add more flavour to the dish.