Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Plated. As always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.
Spicy coconut rice noodles with kale and basil are the perfect healthy addition to your weeknight lineup! It comes together in 30 minutes and is big on flavor and on nutrition.
You know it’s going to be a crazy week when you start reaching for the takeout menus on Monday.
With one (all too easy) phone call, out go all of our gung-ho dreams of getting a home-cooked meal on the table every night this week and in come the cartons of Chinese food.
I know we’ve all been there.
Last week was setting up to be one of those weeks for me. I usually try to do most of my cooking on the weekend so that during the week we can just heat up leftovers, but a full weekend of Easter festivities combined with a hardcore cold that barely had me getting off the couch left our refrigerator bare.
It really couldn’t have been a better time for Plated to swoop in and come to my rescue! If you guys haven’t heard of Plated or didn’t see their tv debut on Shark Tank a few weeks ago, let me explain the concept. Basically, Plated is a gourmet food service that delivers fresh, locally grown and produced ingredients to your front door when you want them.
On the Plated website, you can browse and choose between seven different recipes each week, with a range of vegetarian, meat, seafood, and gluten-free options. Each recipe is healthy and can be prepared in 30-40 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight meal. After you choose the number of servings you need for your family, and how many recipes you want to make that week, you then choose your delivery day and check out. When your Plated delivery arrives, it will come with all of the ingredients, pre-portioned for the recipes, along with a recipe card that has a photo of the finished dish, cooking tips, information about unconventional ingredients you may have received, as well as step-by-step photos and instructions on how to make each dish.
Even you though still have to prepare the recipe, somehow knowing that all of the ingredients are measured out for you and ready-to-go makes getting it on the table seem much less daunting.
I mean, if I could make a Plated recipe in my Halls-addicted, wheezing, chest cold state. In 30 MINUTES OR LESS. Then you can too.
Now for the question that’s on all of your minds: Yes, it’s super easy and makes dinner so much more convenient…BUT HOW DOES IT TASTE?!
I received the ingredients for two recipes – these spicy coconut rice noodles with kale and basil, as well as ricotta gnudi with asparagus, peas, and mint. Let me tell you – both were a huge hit.
The spicy coconut rice noodles had some really great Thai-flavor undertones, which I love, but weren’t so spicy that the.boy couldn’t eat them. I ended up having to add a little extra spice in the form of a sriracha drizzle to mine, but I like my food spicy squared, so I think a normal person would probably be okay.
As for the ricotta gnudi (which are basically gnocchi made from ricotta instead of potatoes), let me just say that while I have made these little fluffy nuggets of heaven before, they have never come together as easily as they did in this recipe! I don’t know if it was the fact that I didn’t have to break out a single measuring cup or that the proportions of ingredients used in this recipe were just extra perfect (or maybe both?) but I had this meal on the table in no time flat AND it was chock full of spring veggies AND it was delicious. Win/win/win.
So if you’re having a hard time getting a healthy meal on the table during the week, then I think it’s definitely worth giving Plated a try! I think it would also be a great gift for a new mom or anyone you know who just doesn’t have the time to get to the store, but still cares about feeding themselves and their family with good quality, delicious, nourishing meals.
- 1 bunch of kale
- ¼ cup Thai basil or regular basil
- ½ cup bean sprouts
- ½ bunch scallions
- 6 oz rice noodles
- ½ tbsp sesame oil
- 14 oz coconut milk
- 1½ tbsp tomato paste
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tbsp gochujang paste
- 2 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes
- Preheat the oven to 400. Bring 6 cups water to a boil.
- In the meantime, rinse the kale and cut the leaves into thin slices, discarding the stems. Set aside.
- Rinse the Thai basil and pick the leaves, discarding the stems. Drain and rinse the bean sprouts. Rinse the scallions and thinly slice the white and light green parts, discarding the rest.
- Place the rice noodles in a large heatproof bowl and pour the boiling water over them. Soak for 10 minutes, or until tender. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- While the rice noodles are cooking, heat the sesame oil in a large pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add in the kale and cook until it is bright green, about 3-4 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and add in the coconut milk, tomato paste, chili powder, and gochujang. Stir until well combined.
- Bring the sauce to a boil and then lower to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, or until thickened. Season to taste with salt.
- Meanwhile, pour the coconut flakes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Toast until golden, 3 minutes.
- Toss together the cooked rice noodles, Thai basil and sauce. Divide evenly between two bowls. Garnish with bean sprouts, scallions, and toasted coconut.
This meal looks awesome! I love that it comes together in less than 30 minutes. I’ve heard great things about Plated – good to know you’ve had a great experience too!
Yum! When I’m not spiralizing, rice noodles are one of my all-time favorites!
OOoh, this bowl sounds so incredible!! I need to get me some of these noodles!
Looks like a winner! I think there is a similar service in Aus too.
coconut, kale and basil- that definitely sounds like a win 🙂
Love the idea of Plated, and this recipe looks delicious! I’m all about quick, easy weeknight meals . . . as are many of us, I’m sure. I’m trying to get the hang of meal-planning, but it’s a work in progress!
I’ve heard of nothing but good things about plated. Smart business sense on their behalf. Did not know they were on shark tank, my husband and I love that show. Delicious looking meal.
This sounds amazing – some of my favorite flavors.
Yum!! I love the sound of that other dish too. Both great for weeknight meals. Enjoy your busy week!
Coconut noodles have been one of my “easy weeknight meals” lately – although I’ve been using peanut butter in my sauce.
I have MANY friends that swear by Plated, or other similar services. Especially new moms and busy working women. The prices are pretty great too!
I love the idea!! Quick homemade meal but yet ‘help’ was given. This dish looks so yummy and of course anything spicy has my name all over it 🙂
This looks and sounds delicious. I’ve subscribed to another service – Quinciple – and it’s been so fun to stretch the types of things I cook. Time to try out Plated!
I’m coming over for lunch, okay?
Love it! What a fun twist on a coconut curry. I think Rob would love this 🙂
I had not heard of Plated before – what a neat concept!
I sure hope you get to feeling better Joanne
This bowl of noodles sounds really good! Would love to try this recipe. We have tried Plated over a friends home a few weeks ago with a risotto. It was a lot of fun cooking together.
I love a spicy noodle dish…can’t wait to try this one..
Plated sounds awesome! Love this coconut rice noodles with kale – it looks gourmet & delicious.
My tummy is literally GROWLING looking at this dish. I’m sooooo wishing I had this packed for lunch (and at home for dinner!) The flavor combo looks amazing, and I’m all for the greens too!
Love the idea of Plated, but alas, they don’t deliver to where I live. Perhaps one day!
This is my ideal meal!!!!
Mmmmm I love rice noodles, and noodles in general – so good!
You must have known that I bought a bag of rice noodles! This looks so delicious!
Girl, I am all over this. I’m definitely having one of those Mondays where the thought of cooking dinner makes me want to pull my hair out. Totally checking Plated out!
Dude. I want food at my doorstoop. Like now, cause it’s lunchtime 😉 I WANT COCONUT RICE NOODLES! So much that I’m willing to throw a tantrum over them. BT Dubs…gochujang paste…I want to try this. Must.make.recipe.asap. 😉
I can’t believe how many people don’t menu plan for the upcoming week. I have an entire system! The service, and of course the dish, sound awesome.
Wahhhhhh! so hard to find kale in Berlin. and this looks so amazing!! I’m going to hunt it down until im able to make this!
This is calling my name right now! Looks so good!
Interesting touch of toasted coconut towards the end! Must have accentuated the coconut fragrance of the entire dish 🙂
Girrrl–this is exactly the kind of recipe I needed today. I’ve been eating so unhealthily while studying for exams, and this is just the kind of healthy but comforting recipe that I need to get me back on track!
I loved this Plated concept!
Clearly I do not do enough savory making with coconut, but should.
This looks so fab! I love the Plated concept… wish they were in Texas!
i cannot wait to try this dish. it sounds awesome! i bought a thai basil plant and have been looking for ways to use it.
I have heard of Plated – great concept for when you want to make something healthy without doing all the prep work. This looks fantastic Joanne!
Yes, reaching for the takeout menu on Monday is definitely a bad sign in our house too! I have heard of a lot of these programs now, and it’s great to know that you were happy with your results.
What perfect timing! The meal looks very fresh. Hope you’re feeling better soon!
Amazing coincidence – I cooked a remarkably similar recipe last night! It’s just there was a touch of beef! Not much though! And it was a fantastic family meal. I loved the noodles with the basil and mine had a lot of shallots too. I was lucky to be able to buy Thai basil – it’s not always readily available. I hope you’re feeling better xx
What a great idea and so good that they have decent vegetarian options 🙂
This looks so much better than any take away I have seen! I love the idea of these flavours. I wish I could conjure up a bowl right now 🙂
Mmm these noodles look so delicious, I love basil 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Oh what a great idea. I watch Shark Tank often but must have missed that episode. I love this because it means less clean up and not having to measure everything out and a better chance of not messing up. I sometimes end up leaving out a key ingredient and well, there goes the dish! I am going to check them…brilliant!
I especially like the use of basil in this fragrant and light dish x
These noodles are beautiful. They’re calling my name. I would really love a bowl right now especially on this cold day.
Hey, there is no shame in ordering the occasional takeout! Life gets busy and we all deal with it the best we can. 🙂 That said, I would be ALL OVER a plate of these noodles instead. Such vegetables! So spice!
I have heard of Plated, they sound amazing. This spicy Thai noodles look like it would be delicious!
what beautiful noodles and a great service – I think that premade food always just seems inferior to fresh – so this idea appeals to me
What a beautiful bowl of noodles! Love how easily this came together for you 🙂
this looks great – i’ve become similarly hooked on hellofresh (wrote this post about it recently) http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/box-of-tricks.html
and although its more money than i would usually spend on grocery shopping i am really enjoying it!
Whoa those are some serious flavors! Yum!
I must of missed that episode! This looks absolutely delicious! Coconut noodles are the bomb diggity! I love how fast it comes together AND that you didn’t have to go shopping. . .
I accidentally discovered Plated a few months ago when I was looking into subscription boxes. I thought it was such an awesome idea!! I would totally order it if I had to cook food everyday!
Totally pinned this one. Looks delicious. Thanks, as always!
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