Spicy Noodles with Pork, Scallions & Bok Choy

4.7

(23)

21 Reviews

These spicy noodles are inspired by a Chinese dish called Ants Climbing a Tree, named for the way the small pieces of ground pork (the "ants") cling to the noodles (the "tree"). The twist in these healthy noodles comes from adding vegetables like scallions and bok choy.

Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD

Updated on April 19, 2024

Tested by

EatingWell Test Kitchen

Reviewed by Dietitian

Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Spicy Noodles with Pork, Scallions & Bok Choy

Prep Time:

35 mins

Total Time:

35 mins

Servings:

Yield:

8 cups

Nutrition Profile:

Nut-Free Healthy Immunity Soy-Free High-Protein Egg-Free Gluten-Free Low-Calorie

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Ingredients

7 ounces thin rice noodles or rice sticks
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
1 head bok choy (about 1 pound), chopped, greens and whites separated
3 scallions, sliced, greens and whites separated
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
¼ cup chili-bean sauce (see Tip) or chile-garlic sauce
1 pound ground pork
2 cups unsalted chicken broth
3 tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon water
Crushed red pepper for garnish

Directions

Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large flat-bottomed wok or cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add bok choy whites and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add bok choy greens and cook until wilted, about 1 minute more. Transfer all the bok choy to a medium bowl.
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, scallion whites, ginger and chili-bean sauce (or chile-garlic sauce) to the pan. Add pork and cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes. Add broth, tamari (or soy sauce) and sugar. Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl and add to the pan. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring, until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Stir in the reserved noodles and bok choy; cook, stirring, until heated through, about 1 minute. Serve topped with scallion greens and crushed red pepper, if desired.

Tips

Tip: Chili-bean sauce, a popular condiment used in Sichuan cooking, is made from fermented soybeans and broad beans, and red chiles. It adds heat and saltiness to these noodles. Look for it at Asian markets or online.

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, November 2019

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

311	Calories
9g	Fat
39g	Carbs
20g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 1 1/3 cups
Calories 311
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 39g	14%
Dietary Fiber 3g	10%
Total Sugars 4g
Added Sugars 1g	2%
Protein 20g	40%
Total Fat 9g	12%
Saturated Fat 2g	11%
Cholesterol 44mg	15%
Vitamin A 6330IU	127%
Vitamin C 65mg	72%
Folate 98mcg	25%
Sodium 609mg	26%
Calcium 170mg	13%
Iron 4mg	21%
Magnesium 40mg	9%
Potassium 581mg	12%

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.

Spicy Noodles with Pork, Scallions & Bok Choy

Ingredients

Directions

Tips

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

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