Reading Time: 10 minutes
By: Myla Watkins, R&D Manager
In this article, you will find:
A great recipe that makes it easy to incorporate fruit in your meals
Why Mandarin Oranges are a perfect snack or delicious ingredient
- The benefits of our juice-packed Carbotrol® Mandarin Oranges
I love a good, hearty comfort food recipe. All winter long, I have happily kept my crockpot and pressure cooker going with deliciously indulgent soups and stews. With temperatures finally warming up and Spring starting to make its appearance, the season calls for lighter, more refreshing flavors.
As you shift your cuisine in that lighter vein, remember to add fruit into your menu ideation and planning. Far more than a standalone side dish or garnish, incorporating fruit into your main courses is a delicious, nutritious way to bring that lighter Spring vibe into your meals.
Mandarins are one of my favorite fruits to cook with.
Ripe, bright, juicy, and available year round, mandarins are a global favorite and used in many Asian recipes. If fact, Mandarin Oranges and Honey are symbols of good fortune and traditionally consumed at the beginning of the Chinese New Year in hopes of the new year bringing health and happiness.
Smaller in size, bright orange, and oh, so sweet, Mandarin Oranges are both delicious and nutritious. A large 120g mandarin orange contains approximately 60 calories and 15 grams of carbohydrates—and is packed with antioxidants. They are a great cholesterol-free snack and super easy to peel— and for dieters, a good source of soluble fiber, which can help you feel full longer after you eat.
So, let’s celebrate the coming of Spring with this Mandarin Orange Stir-fried Sesame Noodle dish. It’s a simple, delicious recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes!
I always suggest using Carbotrol® Mandarin Oranges. They have a sweet, tangy flavor that is a perfect complement to the earthy spiciness of these stir-fried
sesame noodles. And since Carbotrol® Mandarin Oranges are packed in juice rather than syrup, they maintain all their health benefits of being an excellent source of Vitamin C and a good source of antioxidants, like Beta-carotene.
In case you’re preparing a meal for your family or larger group, I have provided recipes for both 4 servings and 16 servings. The dish is packed with vegetables, but could also be punched up with a protein, like chicken or shrimp. Or, add almonds or cashews for some added crunch. These noodles are great as a main dish or as a spectacular side.
Mandarin Orange Stir Fried Sesame Noodles
Yield: About 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 14 oz. Rice Noodles
- 1/4 cup Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Ginger, minced
- 1 Tbsp Garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup Rice Wine Vinegar
- 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Chinese-style Hot Mustard
- 1 tsp Chili Flakes
- 1 cup Shredded Napa Cabbage
- 1 cup Shredded Carrots
- 1 cup Sugar Snap Peas
- 2 cups Carbotrol® Mandarin Oranges, drained
- Sesame Seeds for Garnish
- Green Onion, sliced for Garnish
Instructions:
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add Rice Noodles and cook until softened but firm, about 4 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- In a large skillet or wok, heat sesame oil. Add Ginger and Garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Add Rice Wine Vinegar and Soy Sauce, stir and bring to a boil. Stir in Hot Mustard and Chili Flakes
- Add Cabbage, Carrots, and Snap Peas to the sauce and Stir Fry for 4-5 minutes.
- Add Noodles and toss to coat evenly. Continue stir frying until noodles are soft, about 3 minutes.
- Remove pan from heat. Add Mandarin Oranges and gently fold into the noodles.
- Garnish with Sesame Seeds and Sliced Green Onion as desired.
Mandarin Orange Stir Fried Sesame Noodles
Yield: About 16 servings
Ingredients:
- 56 oz. Rice Noodles
- 1 cup Sesame Oil
- ¼ cup Ginger, minced
- ¼ cup Garlic, minced
- 2 cups Rice Wine Vinegar
- 2 cups Soy Sauce
- ¼ cup Chinese-style Hot Mustard
- 2 Tbsp Chili Flakes
- 4 cups Shredded Napa Cabbage
- 4 cups Shredded Carrots
- 4 cups Sugar Snap Peas
- 1 #10 Can Carbotrol® Mandarin Oranges, drained
- Sesame Seeds for Garnish
- Green Onion, sliced for Garnish
Instructions:
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add Rice Noodles and cook until softened but firm, about 4 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- In a large skillet or wok, heat sesame oil. Add Ginger and Garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Add Rice Wine Vinegar and Soy Sauce, stir and bring to a boil. Stir in Hot Mustard and Chili Flakes
- Add Cabbage, Carrots, and Snap Peas to the sauce and Stir Fry for 4-5 minutes.
- Add Noodles and toss to coat evenly. Continue stir frying until noodles are soft, about 3 minutes.
- Remove pan from heat. Add Mandarin Oranges and gently fold into the noodles.
- Garnish with Sesame Seeds and Sliced Green Onion as desired.
At Leahy-IFP, we are creating a more fruitful life for everyone. We hope you enjoy this tasty recipe and want to share some exciting news on the great savings you can take advantage of on our Mandarin Oranges: $12 Off Every Case of Carbotrol® Mandarin Orange Segments — that represents a 21.4% reduction in price. Limited time offer. Contact your representative for information on how to order.
