Udon Noodles with Spinach-Miso Pesto

In this recipe, the Asian flavor of miso fuses with the peppers, tomatoes, and olives of Italian cuisine. This fusion pasta dish makes a luscious meal all year round. It's good served warm or even at room temperature. Serve these Udon Noodles with Spinach-Miso Pesto with a bountiful salad of greens and tomatoes. Photos by Evan Atlas.

Udon Noodles with Spinach-Miso Pesto

Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients

• Spinach-Miso Pesto
• 8 oz udon noodles or Chinese wheat noodles (or substutute linguine or fettucine)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
• 1 bell pepper (any color) or Italian frying pepper, seeded and minced
• 3 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into small dice
• ¼ to ½ cup black olives, sliced
• freshly ground pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the pesto and set aside.
2. Cook the udon noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and transfer to a serving container. Toss with the pesto and cover.
3. Heat the oil in a medium skillet. Add the garlic and bell or frying pepper and sauté over low heat until the garlic is golden.
4. Add the tomatoes, olives, and black pepper and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes.
5. Stir the skillet mixture into the noodles and serve at once, or let cool and serve at room temperature.

• Explore more way to enjoy spinach.
• Here are more recipes using Asian noodles.