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Tomato & Basil Over Rice Noodles

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WHAT’S IN IT                                                       

  • 1 shallot or 1 small onion, chopped fine

  • 3 ripe tomatoes, diced

  • 2 T chopped fresh basil

  • 3 T avocado oil

  • 1 -2 T vegan butter

  • 1 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • Black pepper to taste

  • Nutritional Yeast (optional)

  • Brown Rice Noodles

HOW TO MAKE IT

  1. Peel and mince the garlic and shallot and set aside

  2. Prepare the rice noodles according to the package instructions.  (they usually cook fast, so time the noodles to be ready with the sauce)

  3. In a medium pan heat the avocado oil on low heat. Add half the tomatoes and season with freshly ground black pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally for about five minutes

  4. Add half of the basil and half of the garlic, the vegan butter, and continue to simmer on low for another few minutes

  5. Add the garlic, onion and remaining tomatoes and basil. Stir and cook a few more minutes until onion is soft and tomatoes are warm.

  6. Add the cooked rice noodles, stir together, then remove from heat.

  7. Serve over rice noodles with nutritional yeast in place of parmesan cheese (optional)

WHY IT’S HEALTHY

Tomatoes have healthy amounts of vitamin E, thiamin, niacin, Vitamin B6 and magnesium.  Onions (shallot) are the richest food source of quercetin which is a potent antioxidant that has been shown to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglycerides.  They are also high in vitamin C, folate, biotin and calcium.  Orientin and vicenin are two flavonoids in basil that protect cell structures as well as chromosomes from radiation and oxygen-based damage. In addition, basil has been shown to provide protection against unwanted bacterial growth. Just ½ cup of basil meets your daily requirements for vitamin K.  The likelihood of blood vessel damage due to chronic excessive inflammation has been shown to decrease when garlic is consumed on a regular basis, and garlic is one of the most powerful foods to lower the risk of cancer.  Brown Rice Noodles are gluten free.  Adding basil, onions and garlic at the very end helps maintain their nutrient density. 

*use organic ingredients if you can and adjust seasonings (herbs, pepper, to your taste)