Compassion, Honesty, and the Beauty of Individual Cheese Boards: The New Rules of Entertaining During a Pandemic

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When I think of noodles, I think of pure, unadulterated comfort—something we all needed in 2021. Luckily, there was no short supply of noodle recipes for us to cook this year (even though bucatini was nowhere to be seen ). From lightning-fast work-from-home lunches like Hetty McKinnon’s Peanut Butter Noodles With Cucumbers to bigger projects like this (still quick!) Instant Pot Beef Pho , we had all kinds of chewy, saucy, savory dishes noodling around our kitchens. There was the udon recipe with an unctuous tomatoey broth that got us ready for a summer of good weather and outdoor hangs, the Spicy Braised Eggplant Noodles we made with our farmers’ market hauls, the Chicken Pad See Ew we fell in love with when we couldn’t stand another night of takeout, and so much more. Whatever next year brings, we’re just glad there will be plenty of noodles to go around. Scroll all the way down to find the No. 1 recipe:

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  Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich

  1/10

  10. Cold Noodles With Sichuan Peppercorn Dressing

  This cold noodle salad features a versatile Sichuan peppercorn dressing that will leave your tongue tingling.

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• Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman

  2/10

  9. Creamy Cashew Udon With Crispy Mushrooms

  Cashew cream works even better than its dairy alternative in this ultra-rich and umami-packed udon noodle dish.

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• Photograph by Yudi Ela, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio

  3/10

  8. Udon in Buttery Tomato and Soy Broth

  You may be surprised at how quickly this broth builds flavor, with massive depth from golden onions, tomatoes, soy sauce, and just a tiny bit of butter for a silky finish.

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• Photo by Heami Lee, food styling by Judy Haubert, prop styling by Rebecca Bartoshesky

  4/10

  7. Chicken Pad See Ew

  Developer Leela Punyaratabandhu breaks down the techniques to achieving the perfect plate of this iconic Thai stir-fried noodle dish.

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• Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Micah Morton, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime

  5/10

  6. Spicy Braised Eggplant Noodles

  A weeknight noodle dish that comes together in no time thanks to a power thruple of gochujang, miso, and tomato paste.

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• Photo by Heami Lee, food styling by Judy Haubert, prop styling by Rebecca Bartoshesky

  6/10

  5. Instant Pot Beef Pho

  This deeply flavored broth comes together in no time, thanks to toasted spices, browned onions, ginger, beef bones—and pressure, of course.

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• Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Pearl Jones

  7/10

  4. Chicken and Mushroom Sauced Noodles With Thai Basil

  Chewy noodles, umami-packed mushrooms, and garlicky chicken, all coated in a spicy, sweet, and savory sauce.

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• Photo by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie Theodorou

  8/10

  3. Peanut Butter Noodles With Cucumbers

  Hetty McKinnon’s creamy, crunchy, salty-sweet peanut noodles with cucumbers are busting up our what’s-for-lunch blues.

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• Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Pearl Jones

  9/10

  2. Tomato and Egg Drop Noodle Soup

  A beloved Hong Kong dish with approximately one billion variations, this soup—which relies heavily on fridge and pantry staples—is meant to be a little sweet and a touch sharp.

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• Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by D’mytrek Brown

  10/10

  1. Beef Stroganoff

  A splash of fish sauce adds instant umami in author Beth Nguyen’s take on this classic dish.

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Source : food