Healthy Meal: Spicy Shrimp and Bok Choy Noodle Bowl

I’ve made this recipe before and actually loved it, but now that I’ve discovered shiritaki noodles I thought I could cut some calories and make it even healthier. However, Daily Plate was having some problems when I tried to put this in, and it originally told me the recipe was 39 calories. I got ridiculously excited, and was disappointed when I came to my senses and realized that wasn’t possible. The server issues went away, and now it’s showing a more appropriate 158 calories. Not bad for a huge serving, but it’s too bad about the glitch because even 158 calories was a bit of a letdown compared to 39.

Recipe notes:
Normally I saute the veggies as the recipe calls for, but this time I was trying to make it extra healthy. So, I put the clam juice in the pot, sauteed the veggies in that, and then added the chicken broth (thus eliminating the oil). The only other change was that I substituted tofu shiritaki noodles for the vermicelli. I think I liked the texture of the vermicelli a bit better, but that was 200 calories compared to the 20 in the shiritaki noodles, and the texture isn’t THAT much better by any means. Definitely worth the switch.

Nutrition facts:
158 calories for the soup (recipe here)

Review: 4/5
This is fantastic soup, and it’s so filling! You can see from the picture how huge the portion is, which is great. The flavors are great, though go light on the red pepper flakes if you don’t want it to be spicy. The vegetables give it fiber and nutrients (according to Nutrition Data, mushrooms are a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin B6, Folate, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc and Manganese, and a very good source of Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Copper and Selenium; bok choy is a good source of Dietary Fiber, Protein, Thiamin, Niacin and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium and Manganese). And it’s quick and simple! 10 minutes to chop the veggies, and then cook it for another 10 while you clean up. Great when you have an Asian food craving but don’t want to order some unhealthy takeout.