31 Days of Frugal Meals // Day 14 Vegan Pad Thi

October 14, 2012

If you remember back to when Jeremy had first moved down to south Louisiana and I was still living in good old Monroe I started a Meat-Free/Man-Free post series. Every week I posted what meatless foods I was eating, since Jeremy wasn't around there was no need for meat. I did pretty good at first, then it turned into the type of carb loading you see marathon runners partake in. 

It didn't end well people.

The other good thing to come from Meat-Free/Man-Free was the cost. It is really cheap to not have to buy copious amounts of meat to appease the modern day caveman living in this house. I feel like poor innocent bunnies are slaughtered just at the sight of our front door. I also fear that one day he will become a hunter and homegirl will have to get over her love of all things in cellophane and start making use of the dead animals on my doorstep. 

But until that day comes let us take remembrance for the less meaty days at my house and enjoy a vegan recipe. 

Plus let's just see how well this goes over without meat in it around here!

Vegan Pad Thai

Ingredients:


Brown Rice Noodles
1/3 c reduced fat chunky peanut butter
1/4 c water
1/4 c low sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp chili paste (sriracha) or a few dashes of cayenne pepper (whatever you have)
3 tbsp rice vinegar
1 c shredded carrots
1 c bell pepper julienne
1 c yellow onion julienne
1 c mung beans (bean sprouts)
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp minced ginger
1 bunch of green onions for garnish


Directions:


Boil pasta as according to package directions. 


Saute onions, bell pepper, and garlic until softened. Add carrots and saute for another minute. Until carrots are beginning to soften, but still crunchy. Set aside.


After pasta is done, removed from pot and strain. While pot is still hot add remaining ingredients and stir until peanut butter is melted and ingredients are mixed well. Add in pasta and vegetables. Combine and garnish with chopped green onion. 


**This is my basic recipe, when I make it for J I usually add shrimp or chicken, but beef would be tasty too. It's not traditional, but I love it