Dan Dan Mian

Dan Dan Mian and similar peanut noodle dishes typically have as many as 20 grams of fat and 1,638mg of sodium per serving. The Biggest Loser Contestants love this much-improved version that doesn’t weigh them down in calories or spirit.

Asian Peanut Sauce: This is one of my favorite go-to sauces that I use in all of my Asian recipes. Though it’s a bit high in fat on its own, when paired with food, it’s quite lean compared to similar versions and much more natural than any I’ve found.

Ingredients

Dan Dan Mian

6 ounces 100% whole grain udon noodles (I used Eden Organic)

1-1/2 recipes “Asian Peanut Sauce”, see recipe below

½ cup all-natural, low-sodium chicken broth

12 ounces all-natural extra lean ground turkey

2 tablespoons freshly minced garlic

2 tablespoons peeled, minced fresh ginger root

2 teaspoons all-natural lower-sodium soy sauce

½ cup finely chopped whole green onions, divided

Canola or avocado oil spray

2 cups mung bean sprouts

Finely chopped fresh Thai green or red chilies, to taste (wear plastic gloves when handling), optional.

Asian Peanut Sauce

1 tablespoon all-natural, reduced-sodium soy sauce

2 teaspoons coconut sugar

½ teaspoon chili-infused extra virgin olive oil

½ teaspoon salt free Szechuan Seasoning (I used Spice Hunter’s salt free Szechuan Seasoning)

1-1/2 tablespoon all-natural creamy peanut butter

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

Instructions

Dan Dan Mian

Cook the noodles according to package directions.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the Asian Peanut Sauce and broth until well combined. Set aside.

In a small mixing bowl, mix the turkey, garlic, ginger, soy sauce and ¼ cup scallions until well combined.

Place a large non-stick wok or skillet over high heat. When hot, mist with spray and add the turkey mixture. Cook about 3 minutes, breaking the meat into small chunks, until lightly browned and cooked through. Add the peanut sauce mixture and cook until just hot, about 1 minute. Remove the mixture from the heat.

Divide the noodles among 4 bowls. Top each with ¼ of the turkey and sauce mixture. Top each with ¼ of the bean sprouts. Divide the remaining ¼ cup green onions among them. Top with chilies, if desired. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings; 3 heaping cups noodles + 2-1/2 cups sauce.

Each (scant cup noodles + ¼ sauce) serving has: 345 calories, 32 g protein, 42 g carbohydrates (7 g sugar), 8 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 34 mg cholesterol, 6 g fiber, 428 mg sodium

Asian Peanut Sauce

In small mixing bowl, mix the soy sauce and coconut sugar. Add the chili oil and Szechuan Seasoning and mix until combined. Then, using a small whisk, whisk in the peanut butter until smooth. Then whisk in the rice vinegar until smooth. Add immediately to your favorite dish or refrigerate it in a re-sealable container for up to 5 days.

Makes 2 Servings; 1/4 cup.

Each (2 tablespoon) serving has: 109 calories, 3 g protein, 8 g carbohydrates (4 sugars), 7 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 256 mg sodium

Reprinted from: The Bigest Loser Flavors of the World Cookbook by Devin Alexander (c) 2011 by Universal Studios Licensing LLLP. The Biggest Loser (TM ) and NBC Studios, Inc., and Reveille LLC. Permission granted by Rodale, Inc. Available wherever books are sold. www.devinalexander.com

Photo Credit: Mitch Mandel