No matter how well I’ve planned my evening, I often find myself crunched for time when it comes to making dinner (note to self: develop talent for creating a slow, relaxed cooking and dining experience). Although I generally love the process of cooking and preparing food, these stressful nights are the times when I’d just like food to magically appear before me–and all of a sudden, I’m craving takeout.

Fortunately, there are many healthy, quick, and tasty (+ vegan) recipe options out there. This is just one of the meals I turn to when I’m pressed for time but don’t want to sacrifice in the quality/health department.

Soba noodles cook in four minutes, and all together, this recipe takes about 10-15 minutes–the perfect healthy fast food! Cumin gives the meal an earthy aroma while basil and lemon juice brighten each bite.

Cumin Basil Soba Noodles

Ingredients:

(Serves 2)

2 servings soba noodles (a handful about 2 inches in diameter)

1 cup baby bella mushrooms, sliced

1 cup green beans, cut into 1-2 inch pieces

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tsp. coconut oil

1 tsp. cumin

1/8 cup chiffonade of basil (a small handful of leaves)

2 tsp. tamari or soy sauce

juice of one lemon

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Heat 1 tsp. coconut oil at medium-low heat. Begin to sauté mushrooms, and give them a little dusting of sea salt.

2. While mushrooms are releasing their tasty juices, boil a pot of water for your soba noodles. Add a thumb of salt to the water if you’d like (I do). Cook noodles in boiling water for no more than four minutes. Once noodles are cooked, strain them and toss in 1 tsp. coconut oil (this helps to prevent the noodles from gluing themselves to one another). Set aside.

3. In a small pot, steam the green beans for about two minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

4. Add minced garlic to mushrooms and toss continually for about a minute. Add noodles and steamed beans to the pot. Toss ingredients with lemon juice, tamari, and cumin. Adjust seasonings as necessary. Keep tossing for a few minutes to ensure that the ingredients are evenly warmed.

5. Serve onto plates and garnish with basil.

More easy recipes: French Lentil Ratatouille

Comforting Soba Noodle Soup

Healthy Southwestern Night

Photos: Mary Hood