Vegetarian Red Curry Noodles

• FAST
• MAKE-AHEAD

Ingredients

1. 1/4 cup vegetable oil
2. 4 large garlic cloves, minced
3. 3 large shallots, thinly sliced
4. 3 Thai chiles, minced
5. 3 stalks of fresh lemongrass, inner bulbs only, thinly sliced
6. 1/4 cup minced fresh ginger
7. 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
8. 2 tablespoons ground coriander
9. 1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut milk
10. 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
11. 1/4 cup Asian fish sauce
12. Salt and freshly ground pepper
13. 1 cup snow peas
14. 1 pound thin dried Chinese egg noodles or spaghettini
15. 1 small red bell pepper, very thinly sliced
16. 1 cup chopped napa cabbage
17. 1/2 cup shredded carrot

1. In a large, deep skillet, heat the oil. Add the garlic, shallots, chiles, lemongrass and ginger and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the aromatics are softened and golden, about 5 minutes. Add the brown sugar and coriander and cook until the sugar is melted, about 20 seconds. Add the coconut milk and simmer, stirring, for 2 minutes. Transfer to a food processor and blend until pureed. Blend in the lime juice and fish sauce. Scrape the sauce into a glass measuring cup and season with salt and pepper. Leave the skillet on the stove.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the snow peas and blanch until bright green, about 40 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer them to a plate to cool. Add the noodles to the pot and cook, stirring, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water.
3. Add 1 cup of the curry sauce to the skillet and bring to a simmer over moderate heat. Add the noodles, snow peas, red pepper, cabbage and carrot and toss well to thoroughly coat the noodles with the sauce. Add some of the reserved cooking water if the noodles seem dry. Season with salt and pepper and serve right away.