Sparkle & Honey Umami Udon: A Weeknight Wonder from The Enchanted Hive

Indulge in a delectable dish of stir-fried udon noodles with mushrooms and cabbage, enhanced with a touch of sparkle and honey.

This week, we're bringing a little magic to your weeknight dinner routine with a recipe that's pure enchantment: Umami Udon. Inspired by a delightful find from the New York Times, this dish is a symphony of sweet, savory, and earthy flavors that's surprisingly simple to create.

At The Enchanted Hive, we believe in finding the extraordinary in the everyday, and this recipe does just that. It takes humble ingredients and transforms them into something truly special. The star of the show? Caramelized mushrooms, bathed in a satiny glaze of honey and butter. Our PNW local honey brings all the flavor and more for this recipe. Get some today!

The Magic of Mushrooms (and Honey!)

Cremini mushrooms are the unsung heroes of the fungi world. They're affordable and easy to find, and with a little patience in the pan, they develop a depth of flavor that rivals more exotic varieties. (Button mushrooms work beautifully too, so feel free to substitute!)

But the real magic happens when the honey comes into play. Drizzled over the caramelized mushrooms, it creates a luscious, glossy glaze that's both sweet and savory. Combined with the richness of butter, it's a flavor combination that will make your taste buds sing. This "sparkle and honey" effect is what elevates this dish from simple to spectacular.

Sizzling mushrooms with Sparkle & Honey and butter! Yum.

Udon: The Perfect Vessel

Chubby udon noodles are the ideal carriers for this rich, flavorful sauce. We highly recommend using fresh or frozen noodles for the best texture and taste. While dried noodles will do in a pinch, the fresh or frozen variety truly elevates the experience. They soak up all that delicious "sparkle and honey" goodness, ensuring every bite is a burst of flavor.

Here's how to make it:

(Recipe from NY Times - adapted for The Enchanted Hive)

Ingredients:

• Kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)

• 1 ½ pounds frozen or fresh udon noodles (vacuum-sealed)

• 2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as vegetable or grapeseed

• 1 pound cremini mushrooms, stemmed and sliced into ¼-inch pieces

• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• Black pepper

• 3 tablespoons honey

• 4 tablespoons butter, preferably salted (see Tip)

• ½ small head Napa cabbage, finely sliced (about 1 pound)

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce

• 2 scallions, finely sliced

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted

Preparation:

Step 1:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the udon noodles, and cook for about 2 minutes, using wooden chopsticks or tongs to gently loosen the noodles from their tight bundle.

• Drain, rinse with cold water, and leave to continue draining while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

Step 2:

• Heat a wok or large (12-inch) skillet on medium-high until very hot.

• Add oil and mushrooms, and stir-fry for 7 to 8 minutes, leaving undisturbed for 30 seconds to 1 minute at a time, to allow them to caramelize. (Be patient: They will release a lot of liquid, then start to brown.)

• Add the garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, and a few turns of black pepper.

• Drizzle the mushrooms with 2 tablespoons of honey, then add 3 tablespoons of butter and toss.

Step 3:

• Add the udon noodles, Napa cabbage, and soy sauce to the pan, then toss for 2 minutes, until the cabbage is wilted and everything is well combined.

• Remove from the heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon honey and 1 tablespoon butter.

• Taste and season with more salt and black pepper, if required.

• To serve, scatter with scallions and sesame seeds.

Tip: If using unsalted butter, add an additional ¼ teaspoon of salt in Step 2.

A flavorful bowl of stir-fried udon noodles topped with sliced mushrooms, green onions, and sesame seeds, served with chopsticks on a rustic wooden table.

A Little Sparkle for Your Week

Our Sparkle & Honey Udon is more than just a meal; it's a little bit of enchantment on a plate, bursting with sweet, savory, and deeply satisfying umami flavors. We hope this original recipe from The Enchanted Hive brings joy and deliciousness to your weeknight dinners.

Happy cooking from our hive to yours!