Kung Pao Noodles

• Noodles:   Use any noodle or pasta of your choice. I have used linguine in here but you can use any pasta of your choice.

• Sauce:    The kung pao sauce is very easy, and it needs basic pantry ingredients. To make this sauce, you will need soy sauce, sesame oilbrown sugar, rice vinegar, chili paste, chicken broth, and cornstarch. Sauce is slightly on the sweeter side, but you can increase the amount of chili paste to increase the heat in the sauce.

• Protein:   I have not used any protein in this recipe. You can add egg, chicken, tofu, or shrimp as per your choice.

• Vegetables:    I have used zucchini in this recipe. You can add carrots, snap peas, broccoli, bok choy, or any vegetable that you like to add.

• Chili Paste:    Chili paste used in making kung pao sauce is Sambal Oelek. You can skip this and use any chili paste available readily.

How to make kung pao spaghetti?

Step 1:   Cook the noodles al dente according to package instructions. Strain and toss the noodles with oil and set them aside.

Step 2:   Add all the ingredients for kung pao sauce to a cup, stir well, and set aside.

Step 3:   Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet/pan over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, zucchini, peanuts, and dry red chilis, one after another, and saute for a few minutes, until fragrant.

Step 4:   Once the vegetables are soft, add prepared sauce to the pan, mix once, and let it simmer for some time.

Step 5:    Add noodles to the pan and toss well so that sauce coats evenly. 

Step 6:   Remove from heat and serve immediately with desired toppings/garnish.

Tips to make the kung pao noodles recipe:

1. For protein, add tofu, shrimp, and chicken.
2. If you like heat in the sauce, then increase chili paste or add sriracha or even pepper powder.
3. Swap chicken broth with vegetable stock.
4. You can prepare the sauce and store it in an airtight jar and refrigerate it up to 3 days. I won't prefer to store it for more as it will significantly lose flavor.
5. Use low-sodium sauces in the dish.
6. If you want to store leftovers, then better to store them in a ziploc bag.
7. To reheat the leftovers, heat them on the stovetop in a pan. Microwaving this dish does not yield great taste when reheated, and the noodles do not heat well.
8. If you like more sauce in the noodles, then double the sauce ingredients.
9. To add chicken/shrimp/egg, you have to add salt, pepper, and spices as per your liking to the meat and stir fry initially and keep that aside. Then you can cook sauce, along with vegetables, add meat, and finally add pasta.

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