Meatless Pancit (Filipino Stir-fry Noodles with Vegetables)

Hello!  I thought I tap into my roots and give one of my favorite comfort foods a change and go meatless.  This classic Filipino pancit vegetarian style is sure to please your palate and make you feel good about eating it.  It is popular among Filipinos and one of the many favorite comfort foods and party foods.  When you go to a party hosted by Filipinos, anticipate pancit being served.  It is believed that pancit is a symbol of long life since the strand is long.  The birthday celebrant has to serve and eat it.  Almost all Filipinos know how to cook this recipe.  However, this pancit noodle stir-fry has evolved and some people from all over the globe have adapted the recipe and cook it differently.  I am cooking this pancit the same way my mother taught my siblings and I.   The only changes I’ve made to my mother’s recipe were I substituted the meat with tofu.  Hence, meatless pancit.  I also used different vegetables instead of the typical green beans, carrots and cabbage my mother used in her recipe except the red bell peppers.  It’s my mother’s signature ingredient in making this pancit original and Ilocano style.  So, I must leave it alone.  Sometimes, she added tomatoes too, but the pancit spoiled easily, so she would only add tomatoes when we ate it right away.   I also added some  Flax seeds and Sesame seeds to give this dish more nutritional values besides protein and fiber.

Pancit is very easy to make and it’s ready in 30-45 minutes (cooking time varies depending how much pancit you will be cooking ) including preparation. This recipe is good for only 1/2  lb. of rice noodles.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz. tofu, cubed in small bite pieces
• 1/2 lb. (1/2 of the bag) of rice noodles
• 3 large cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 1/4 of small onions, chopped
• 1/2 of red bell pepper, cut lengthwise
• 1 cup Brussel sprouts, trimmed and cut in half
• a handful of snow peas
• 1 medium organic carrot, julienned
• 2 heads baby bok choi, separated
• 1 teaspoon Sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon Flax seeds
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup water mixed with 1 teaspoon loose chicken bouillon
• 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil; divided
• 1 stalk green onions, cut for garnish
• lime wedges as garnish

Directions:

Rice noodles (Bihon) available at Asian stores

Immerse 1/2 of the the rice noodles in a foil pan with cold water until soft about 10-15 minutes.

Drain and place the noodles in a large bowl; set aside.

Heat a skillet with a lid over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil when hot. Add the Brussel sprouts leaving the cut side down and cook until lightly brown. Turn over and cook the other side for about 30 seconds. Remove from the pan and place on a plate; set aside.

Add Garlic and onions. Saute until translucent.

Add the carrots and stir-fry until somewhat tender.

Add the tofu and vegetables. Stir then cover. Let cook for 30 seconds.

Add the water mixture and soy sauce at this point. Cover and bring to a boil.

Add the rice noodles

Turn heat to low at this point and stir-fry the pancit until well incorporated. keep stirring until the sauce is absorbed.

Add the flax seeds and Sesame seeds. Stir-fry until well combined and rice noodles are tender and the liquid is completely absorbed.

Done. Take a picture.

Transfer to a platter and serve it family style.

Bon Appetit!

1. Prepare all the ingredients.
2. Immerse the rice noodles in a foil pan with cold water until soft about 10-15 minutes.  Make sure all noodles are immersed in water.  Do not leave the noodles for long or it will be too soggy to cook. Be mindful about the time.  Check the noodles in 10 minute mark.  If the noodles are soft and pliable, drain the water and place the noodles in a large bowl; set aside.
3. Heat a skillet with a lid over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil when hot.  Add the Brussel sprouts leaving the cut side down and cook until lightly brown.  Turn over and cook the other side for about 30 seconds.  Remove from the pan and place on a plate; set aside.
4. Add the remaining oil, garlic and onions.  Saute until translucent. Add the carrots and stir-fry until somewhat tender.
5. Add the tofu and vegetables. Stir and cover.  Let cook for 30 seconds.
6. Add the water mixture and soy sauce.  Bring to a boil then add the noodles.  Stir-fry until well incorporated.
7. Turn heat to low at this point and keep stirring the pancit until the sauce is completely absorbed.
8. Add the Flax and Sesame seeds.  Stir until well combined.
9. Serve warm and garnish with lime wedges.

My family loves pancit served with their favorite lumpia  (crispy egg roll)   How about you?

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