Fake-out vegetarian noodle bowls

Hello hello! Before I begin, I want to thank Jamie over at The Healthy Passport for hosting me last week! I shared another lentil beetroot salad recipe (a bit like this one), so if you’re interested and don’t want the Beetroot Bonanza to end, check it out!

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When I was younger, I used to assume people were lying – or, at the very least, putting on a brave face – when they said they sometimes craved things like broccoli over, say, ice cream cake. But in the last few years, I’ve come to know that feeling. It’s weird.

I’m back in Utrecht after a wonderful time spent in Toronto with family and friends. And after lots and lots of indulgent meals both in and out… I’ve got that feeling. It’s like the reasonable, intuitive part of my body has taken over. I’m craving ‘lighter’ fare and lots of freshness – but at the same time, I’m jet-lagged like crazy and consequently my appetite is massive.

Which is where these ‘fake-out’ (get it? fake take-out? hehe) vegetarian noodle bowls come in.

This is a trusty go-to meal for me when I’m feeling either tired or a bit under the weather, as it comes together in no time but is super warming and comforting. It feels like you’re eating something super indulgent, but you don’t feel weighed down or in need of a nap afterwards – which is great if you happen to have slept in because you’re super jet-lagged and can’t really afford to waste any more of the day! Or, you know, if you’re a human being at all who needs to be awake for human reasons.

One small note: I take the extra step of frying off my tofu so that it’s nice and crunchy, but you could easily skip that step and simply warm it in the broth before serving. You’ll still get plenty of crunch from the bean sprouts and the peanuts.

That’s it! I’m keeping this post short and sweet today because 1) my body still thinks it’s 5 am, so I already fear I’m rambling, and 2) I suspect I have about one hour left to get some sunshine in before the rain sets it again… Yikes!

Happy Monday everyone!