Oriental Soy Spaghetti

Oriental Soy Spaghetti is a classic dish full of flavors typical of Asian cuisine. However, I propose a version with an Italian twist, integrating Mediterranean ingredients that marry well with the original recipe.

Ingredients

• 200 g of soy spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (as an alternative to sesame oil)
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 chili pepper (optional)
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 carrot
• 100 g of green beans
• 1 zucchini
• 150 g of Chinese cabbage (if available)
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Chives for garnish (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by soaking the soy spaghetti in warm water for the time indicated on the packaging, generally about 10-15 minutes, then drain them and set aside.
2. In the meantime, wash and cut all the vegetables into julienne strips to ensure uniform cooking and a pleasant texture.
3. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large pan or wok. Add the finely chopped garlic and the broken chili pepper if you are using it.
4. Add the julienned vegetables: carrot, bell pepper, green beans, and zucchini. Stir-fry over medium-high heat for about 3-4 minutes, until they are crunchy yet cooked.
5. Now add the sliced Chinese cabbage and continue stir-frying for another 2 minutes.
6. Add the drained soy spaghetti and season with soy sauce and rice vinegar, mixing well to absorb the flavors.
7. Adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper to your taste and stir-fry for a few minutes until the soy spaghetti is hot and flavored.
8. Serve immediately, garnishing with chopped chives for an extra touch of color and freshness.

The addition of extra virgin olive oil and apple cider vinegar offers a tasty bridge between East and West, maintaining the ethnic character of the dish but with a familiar touch for the Italian palate.

Curiosity

Soy spaghetti, also known as soy noodles, are a very popular ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisines, and particularly in Chinese cuisine. They are known to be a good source of protein and for their versatility, perfectly adapting to a variety of recipes, from soups to stir-fries.