GOING VEGAN WOULDN'T BE SO BAD

For dinner, I decided to try a new recipe from the Happy Herbivore Cookbook- Chili-Sweet Mango Noodles. I love mango, but I had never thought of using it in my dinner, so I decided to give it a try! I may have added a few too many pinches of red pepper flakes, but, hey, I like it spicy!!!

Here is the recipe:

6 oz. udon noodles

1 bunch green onions

1 c. vegetable broth, divided

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

2 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce

2 tbsp. rice vinegar

1 tbsp. sweet red chili sauce

3 tsp. fresh minced ginger

1 mango, skinned and cubed

1. Prepare noodles according to package directions, rinsing with cold water, draining and setting aside.

2. Cut the dark green stalk and root end off of the green onions, tossing the roots, but reserving the stalks for later. Since the remaining white and light green parts of the onions in half and then in half again, so each piece is about 2 inches long, and set aside.

3. Pour 1/3 cup of vegetable broth into a large skillet and add garlic, a pinch of red pepper flakes, low-sodium soy sauce and vinegar; stir to combine. Taste, adding more low-sodium soy sauce if desired.

4. Bring to a boil over high heat and sauté for 2 minutes. Add chopped green onions and cook for another minute. Add another 1/3 cup of broth, red chili sauce and ginger and cook for another minute or two, stirring to combine everything.

5. Turn off heat and add remaining broth if necessary. You want a slight sauce in the pan- a thin layer along the bottom. Taste, adding more red chili sauce if desired.

6. Add mango and cooked noodles, stirring to combine.

7. Move the mixture away from the heat and let flavors merge in the skillet. Slice leftover green onion parts on the diagonal. Reserve a few onion slices, but stir the rest into the noodle dish. Plate, garnish and serve.

I decided to add some mushrooms to the dish and added them when I added the green onions. I also didn't cut the green onions into 2-inch pieces; I like my onions cut a little smaller.

For more Happy Herbivore check out this site.