The Magical Ingredients for a Wholesome Life From the Heart of my Home: Gochujang Paneer Bowl

This is a quick and easy noodle bowl packed with flavors and textures and is a comforting meal. This paneer tastes lip-smacking delicious with spicy, tangy, and sweet flavors from the gochujang sauce.

I received Gopi Paneer samples in the process of developing recipes and the views expressed are my own.

I highly recommend Gopi Paneer. The freshness of the paneer speaks for itself. It doesn't contain any fillers or starch or gum and is also low in sodium. These make the paneer stand out from any other brand. I often buy this brand from Indian as well as Mediterranean groceries and was very excited to share a family loved meal for Gopi Paneer!

This bowl is a versatile one! My kids love noodles, who doesn't? I have used Lo mein noodles here but any noodles of choice can be used. I make this recipe with any noodles I have on hand. Rice noodles or spaghetti will also work. Trust me, I have made this with all the possible options. Make sure to cook according to the package direction for the noodles that are used.

Now, it doesn't stop here. Not only noodles, rice or any cooked grains can be used. Sometimes I use leftover rice or quinoa to make this bowl and it tastes perfect! Now I call this a handy and versatile recipe.

I love to make a well balanced meal loaded with veggies and proteins. This bowl too is no exception. This has some simple veggies that are fridge essentials, like carrots, broccoli, and bell pepper. These are sauteed with salt and gochugaru which adds a mild kick to the veggies and a flavor boost to the bowl. Slices of cucumber and radish add to the crunchiness and texture in this bowl. The soft and chewy paneer with loads of vegetables, every bite is flavor bomb.

This is a quick meal. Yes, in 30 minutes, this is ready. This will be even quicker if you use leftover noodles or grains. Slice up the veggies and when you sauté them, start cooking the noodles and cut the paneer. Make the sauce and finish up the paneer, and assemble everything together. Paneer cooks faster than tofu as the water is completely expressed out. Even if you do not have any veggies, with a little cilantro and green onions, this makes an amazing meal. In total, this makes a satisfying meal!

This tastes best served hot or warm. The leftovers, if any, can be stored in the fridge. Warm it on the stovetop and it will be as fresh as it is made at that moment. For a vegan version, use tofu and maple syrup.

The sauce speaks for itself! The spicy gochujang paste and gochugaru with soy sauce and brown sugar results in a lip-smacking flavor medley that is just delicious! With corn starch this sauce makes a beautiful glaze for the paneer and it completely absorbs this flavor. This noodle bowl is best served warm or hot. Bibim Guksu is a cold Korean noodle salad that also has gochujang, and it is quite different from this paneer bowl. Vegan Gochugaru Jicama Coleslaw tastes great with gochugaru added in it and is an easy and delicious summer salad that you'd want again and again! We love the bite of ginger here and there in gochujang paneer. If you do not have fresh ginger or do not have time to chop ginger and garlic, add powdered ginger and garlic to the sauce mixture and use that. That would give an equivalent flavor.

Paneer, a soft, non-melting cheese, is one of our family favorites and is a good source of proteins and calcium. Kids love paneer in any form and based on what I have on hand, would make many paneer dishes that taste amazing! Whether it is a traditional paneer dish or a fusion one, paneer absorbs any flavor and results in lip-smacking food. Here are a few paneer dishes that you would love too!

Paneer and Spinach Stuffed Pasta Shells in Malai Sauce

Malai Paneer Tikka

Paneer Burji

Paneer Tikka Poutine

Paneer, Masoor Dal and Veggie Lasagna

Chatpata Paneer Chole 7 Layer Dip

Pumpkin, Paneer, and Cranberry Rolls

Malai Paneer Tikka

Grain-Free Garbanzo Beans Pasta and Paneer Soup

Chaat Spiced Paneer Log

Cranberry Pecan Paneer Cheese Ball

Paneer Tikka Pasties

Did you know that June is National Dairy Month? Milk, cream, yogurt, butter, cheese....in every form it tastes great and provides essential nutrition for proper body functioning and health. Jolene is hosting a week-long event to celebrate National Dairy Month. We share delicious recipes using dairy products. Today is our first day of posting dairy recipes, and this comforting main made with noodles, paneer, and veggies is my share for the theme. Check for the list of dairy recipes we shared today. Thanks, Jolene!

Ingredients

Serves 2-3

Gopi Paneer - 200 g, 1.5-in rectangle pieces

Red bell pepper - 2/3 cup

Green bell pepper - 2/3 cup

Carrots - 2/3 cup

Broccoli - 2/3 cup, small florets

Salt - 1/3 tsp

Gochugaru - 1/2 tsp

Green onions - 2, sliced

Sesame oil - 2.5 tbsp

Ginger - 1 tsp, finely chopped

Garlic - 1 tsp, finely chopped

For Noodles

Noodles - 75-100g, any noodles

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Water

Oil - 1 tsp

For the Sauce

Gochujang - 1/2 tbsp

Gochugaru - 1/2 tsp

Soy sauce - 1/2 tbsp

Brown sugar - 1/2 tsp

Sesame oil - 1 tsp

Corn starch - 1 tsp

Water - 1/2 cup

For Assembly

Cucumber - 1/4 cup, matchsticks

Radish - 1/4 cup, matchsticks

Sesame seeds - 1 tsp, toasted

Method

Heat a teaspoon oil in a pan and add the carrots and bell peppers, sauté on high heat for 2-3 minutes. Add salt and gochugaru, cook for a minute. Remove from flame and set aside. The veggies should be crisp tender.

Mix the ingredients for the sauce in a bowl and set aside.

In the meantime, start cooking the noodles according to package directions. Set the noodles aside, blanch the broccoli.

Heat the remaining oil in the pan and fry the Gopi paneer pieces till golden brown. This may take about 5-6 minutes.

Add the ginger and garlic, followed by white parts of green onion and cook for 1-2 minutes.

Add the sauce, cook for 1-2 minutes.

Remove from the flame and garnish with green onions

For assembling the bowl: Divide the noodles into 2 bowls. Add the sautéed veggies, blanched broccoli, cucumber and radish . Add the gochujang paneer with the sauce on to another side. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.