Speedy dinner recipe: This mouthwatering 15-minute 'Nduja & fennel seed udon


This simple three-ingredient recipe uses easy Japanese pantry essentials to bring a spicy kick to your weeknight meals...

5 min
easy
Nduja & fennel seed udon displayed in a bowl© Patricia Niven
By Tim Anderson
5 days ago
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This is an incredibly quick way to get your spicy-oily noodle kick. Three ingredients, about five minutes of cooking, and the flavour is like pizza in udon form. Embellish this however you like – it's nice with spinach, mushrooms or artichoke hearts.

JapanEasy Kitchen is built around a simple idea: how a small, accessible set of Japanese pantry staples can transform everyday cooking. Using ingredients widely available in UK supermarkets, such as miso, soy sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, noodles and tofu, Tim Anderson offers flavour-packed recipes that feel both inventive and achievable.

Ingredients

  • 75g/2½oz 'nduja
  • 1 heaped tsp fennel seeds
  • 2 portions of udon noodles, par-cooked according to the packet instructions
  • A few leaves of fresh basil and/or grated
  • Parmesan, to garnish (optional)

Method

1. Place the 'nduja in a frying pan and set over a medium-high heat. Break it up into small chunks and when it starts to melt into a scary red puddle, add the fennel seeds and let them sizzle for 1 to 2 minutes.


2. Add the par-cooked udon and saute for a few minutes to coat the noodles (a splash of the udon cooking water, or just tap water, may help to liquefy the 'nduja and form a sauce).


3. Dish up and garnish with fresh basil and grated parmesan, if you’ve got it.

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