
As runners, we can burn through some carbs. They’re fuel for our brain and our body, and keeping those furnaces stoked can be a task. Dialing in a pre-run or pre-race dish that sits well can present its own set of challenges. Enter the old standby: pasta. We’re fans, of course. But even the Italian in us can get bored with it.
In part of an occasional series with our friends who know a LOT about food, we went in search of a dish that was easy to make, well-balanced, and adaptable to dietary differences and tastes. So we called Rhonda Stewart, Senior Instructor in the College of Culinary Arts at Charlotte’s Johnson & Wales University. She’s got more letters of certification behind her name than a can of alphabet soup. Trust us, she’s good. And so is her recipe for Yaki Udon Noodles with Stir-fried Veggies and Shrimp

Yaki Udon Noodles with Stir-fried Veggies (and protein of your choice)
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Udon noodles, 4 servings
- 2 Tbsp., divided Cooking oil
- 1 pound Shrimp, tofu (or thinly sliced chicken, pork, or extra vegetables)
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves arlic, fresh, minced
- 1 cup cabbage, green, shredded
- ½ cup carrots, thinly sliced
- 1 cup mushrooms- cremini or button, thinly sliced
- 1 cup croccoli, cut into florets
- ½ cup peppers – red, yellow, or green, thinly sliced
- 1 Tbsp. fish sauce or oyster sauce
- 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp. mirin
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 3 Tbsp. Korean BBQ Sauce
- 1 Tbsp. sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp. sesame seeds, toasted
- 4 Scallions, thinly sliced
Method of Preparation:
- Season shrimp or your choice of protein with salt and pepper.
- Combine all sauce ingredients in a small bowl: fish sauce, soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, Korean BBQ sauce, and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Follow the package directions for the udon noodles. Rinse with cool water. Drain.
- Heat wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 Tablespoon oil. Sauté shrimp (or another protein choice) until opaque and firm. Set aside.
- Add the remaining oil to the wok/skillet. Add onion and garlic, cooking until aromatic.
- Add cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, and broccoli, stirring and cooking until tender-crisp. Add peppers, and continue stirring for 1 minute.
- Add reserved noodles and sauce mixture to the wok, stirring until combined.
- Add reserved cooked protein to the wok, bringing to a boil.
- Immediately portion to plates or a serving platter.
- Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!
Note: We substituted the 2 Tbsp rice vinegar and 2 tsp sugar for the mirin, since we didn’t have any on hand. We also chose purple cabbage and Japanese BBQ sauce, just because we prefer them.
 
 




 Charlotte —  The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon is excited to announce Alaina Williams’ new role as Executive Director. Williams, who served as Event Experience Director for the 2021 and 2022 events, will manage all aspects related to the successful and safe execution of the 2023 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon.
Charlotte —  The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon is excited to announce Alaina Williams’ new role as Executive Director. Williams, who served as Event Experience Director for the 2021 and 2022 events, will manage all aspects related to the successful and safe execution of the 2023 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon.