Spicy Chili Oil Noodles with Zucchini & Carrots

5.0

(1)

1 Review

Making your own chili oil is more time-intensive than using store-bought, but it’s worth it for the fresh flavors in this dish. The goal here is to infuse the oil with tons of aromatics like bay leaves, star anise, peppercorns and chili flakes to create a spicy base for the sauce. Spiralized zucchini and carrot add crunch, color and nutrients to the dish.

Matthew Francis

Updated on February 20, 2024

Tested by Chloe Gebacz

Reviewed by Dietitian

Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Active Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

30 mins

Servings:

Nutrition Profile:

Dairy-Free Soy-Free Egg-Free

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Ingredients

1/2 cup Szechaun red chili flakes (see Tip)
1/4 cup sliced scallions, white and green parts separated
3 tablespoons white sesame seeds
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup peanut oil
6 clove garlic, thinly sliced, plus 2 cloves minced, divided
2 small shallots, thinly sliced
2 bay leaves
2 whole star anise
1 tablespoon Szechaun peppercorns
1 cinnamon stick
2 tablespoons Shaoxing rice wine
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 (8-ounce) package wide rice noodles, cooked and cooled
2 large carrots, peeled and spiralized (5 ounces)
2 small zucchini, spiralized (8 ounces)
2 medium Persian cucumbers, julienned
1/2 cup chopped unsalted roasted peanuts
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Directions

Combine chili flakes, scallion whites, sesame seeds, ginger and salt in a large heatproof bowl.
Combine peanut oil, garlic, shallots, bay leaves, star anise, peppercorns and cinnamon stick in a medium skillet. Cook over medium heat until the garlic turns golden and is crisping, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the solids from the hot oil with a slotted spoon or strainer. Set aside the fried shallots and garlic; discard the other solids. Pour the hot oil over the chili flake mixture; stir carefully with chopsticks (it will bubble and pop). After the oil stops bubbling, about 1 minute, add rice wine, oyster sauce and sesame oil.

Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco
Add rice noodles, carrots and zucchini to the large bowl; toss to combine. Divide among 4 bowls; top with cucumbers, scallion greens, peanuts and the reserved fried shallots and garlic. Garnish with cilantro, if desired.

Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Lauren McAnelly, Prop stylist: Gabriel Greco

Tip

Find Szechuan red chili flakes with other spices at well-stocked grocery stores or Asian markets. You can also order it online.

EatingWell.com, February 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

739	Calories
45g	Fat
76g	Carbs
13g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 2 cups
Calories 739
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 76g	28%
Dietary Fiber 10g	37%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 13g	27%
Total Fat 45g	58%
Saturated Fat 7g	37%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Vitamin A 570Âµg
Vitamin C 26mg	29%
Vitamin D 0Âµg
Vitamin E 9mg	60%
Folate 84Âµg
Vitamin K 49Âµg
Sodium 700mg	30%
Calcium 177mg	14%
Iron 4mg	22%
Magnesium 120mg	29%
Potassium 966mg	21%
Zinc 2mg	22%
Vitamin B12 0Âµg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.