Sambal Spiced Veggie Mee Goreng Recipe
A delightful dish packed with vibrant flavors and a perfect blend of heat and tang, Sambal Spiced Veggie Mee Goreng is a savory vegetarian delight from the heart of Southeast Asia. This stir-fried noodle dish is rich with a homemade sambal paste that offers both spice and complexity, paired with crunchy veggies for texture and depth. Whether served as a snack or a full meal, this recipe is sure to satisfy your craving for something flavorful and fulfilling. Here’s how to prepare this mouthwatering dish:
Ingredients
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
Wheat Noodles | 200 grams |
Onion | 1, finely sliced |
Green Bell Pepper (Capsicum) | 1, finely julienned |
Carrot (Gajjar) | 1, julienned |
Baby Corn | 3, julienned |
Sunflower Oil | As required |
Sambal Paste | 2 tablespoons |
Onion (for Sambal paste) | 1, chopped |
Green Chillies | 6, remove seeds for a milder paste |
Garlic | 5 cloves, sliced |
Lemongrass | 1 stalk, thinly sliced |
Tamarind Water | 1/2 cup |
Dry Red Chillies | 10 (5 Byadgi, 5 Guntur) |
Turmeric Powder (Haldi) | 2 teaspoons |
Sugar | 1 tablespoon |
Salt | To taste |
Sunflower Oil (for stir-frying) | As needed |
Preparation Time
40 minutes
Cooking Time
15 minutes
Total Time
55 minutes
Servings
2 servings
Cuisine
Asian
Course
Snack
Diet
Vegetarian
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Sambal Paste
To start, prepare the sambal paste which will be the flavorful base for the dish:
- In a blender, combine the chopped onion, green chilies, garlic, lemongrass, tamarind water, and dry red chilies (both Byadgi and Guntur varieties) into a smooth paste. This blend will form the essence of the sambal.
- Heat 3 teaspoons of sunflower oil in a pan. Once the oil is hot, add the sambal paste to the pan and sauté for a few minutes until aromatic and the oil begins to separate.
- Add turmeric powder and continue sautéing on a low flame for another 10–15 minutes to cook off the raw smell of the spices.
- Stir in salt and sugar, and cook the paste until the oil rises to the top, indicating that it is ready. Set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Noodles
- While the sambal paste is cooking, bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the wheat noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set them aside to cool. The noodles can be cooled under running cold water to prevent them from sticking together.
Step 3: Stir-fry the Veggies
- In a large wok or wide-bottomed pan, heat sunflower oil over medium heat. Add the finely sliced onion and sauté until they turn translucent and slightly golden.
- Add the julienned carrot, baby corn, and capsicum (green bell pepper) to the pan. Stir-fry the vegetables for about 3-4 minutes, until they are slightly softened but still retain some crunch.
Step 4: Combine the Noodles and Sambal Paste
- Once the vegetables are tender, add the prepared sambal paste to the pan and sauté it for an additional 2-3 minutes. This allows the sambal to infuse the vegetables and oil with its spicy, tangy flavor.
- Add the cooled noodles to the wok, along with salt to taste. Toss everything together gently until the noodles are well-coated with the sambal paste and the vegetables are evenly distributed throughout.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
- Once everything is well-mixed, remove from the heat and transfer the dish to a bowl.
- Serve immediately while the dish is still hot, ideally paired with something refreshing, like the Thai Grilled Pineapple to complement the spicy noodles.
Serving Suggestions
Sambal Spiced Veggie Mee Goreng can be enjoyed as a standalone dish, or as a side to your favorite Southeast Asian meal. The fiery and aromatic sambal makes the dish a memorable addition to your dinner table, and pairing it with Thai Grilled Pineapple adds a sweet contrast to the spiciness.
Additional Tips
- Adjusting Spice Levels: The spice level of this dish can be customized by adjusting the amount of green chilies and dry red chilies used in the sambal paste. If you prefer a milder version, remove the seeds from the chilies or reduce their quantity.
- Veggie Variations: Feel free to mix and match vegetables based on availability or preference. Mushrooms, bok choy, or zucchini can be great additions or substitutes.
- Protein Addition: For a more substantial meal, add tofu or tempeh for extra protein. Simply stir-fry these along with the vegetables.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Sambal Spiced Veggie Mee Goreng offers an explosion of flavors in every bite. The balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy from the sambal paste transforms simple noodles and veggies into an unforgettable meal. With its quick preparation time, it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you’re craving something both comforting and exciting.
Enjoy your Sambal Spiced Veggie Mee Goreng — a bold, vibrant dish that’s sure to spice up your dinner table!