Follow these step-by-step instructions to assemble your delicious and healthy carrot noodle cups. The process is straightforward and designed for ease, whether you’re making it for an immediate meal or for meal prep.

Step 1: Prepare the Carrot Noodles
First, wash and peel your carrots. Trim off both ends to create flat, stable surfaces. This is crucial for securing the carrot in the spiralizer. Using a spiralizer fitted with a small noodle blade (often called the spaghetti blade), process all four carrots into long, beautiful noodles. If you see the noodles are getting excessively long, simply use kitchen shears to snip them into more manageable lengths (about 6-8 inches). Place the finished carrot noodles into a large mixing bowl. If you do not own a spiralizer, you can use a julienne peeler or a standard vegetable peeler to create long, thin ribbons.

Step 2: Add the Fresh Vegetables
To the large bowl containing your carrot noodles, add the thinly sliced red bell pepper, the shredded purple cabbage, the sliced scallions, and the coarsely chopped cilantro. Gently toss these ingredients together with your hands or a pair of tongs to distribute them evenly. The combination of colors should already look incredibly appetizing. Set this vegetable mixture aside while you prepare the sauce.

Step 3: Whisk the Peanut-Ginger Sauce
In a separate medium-sized bowl or a liquid measuring cup, combine all the sauce ingredients: the creamy peanut butter, tamari (or soy sauce), rice vinegar, maple syrup (or honey), toasted sesame oil, freshly grated ginger, and minced garlic. Whisk these ingredients together vigorously. Initially, the mixture will be very thick and paste-like.

Step 4: Thin the Sauce to Perfection
Once the initial sauce ingredients are well combined, start adding the hot water, one tablespoon at a time. Whisk continuously after each addition. Continue adding water and whisking until the sauce reaches a smooth, pourable consistency. It should be thick enough to coat the noodles but thin enough to drizzle easily. The exact amount of water will depend on the brand of your peanut butter. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if necessary. You might want a little more maple syrup for sweetness, more rice vinegar for tang, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.

Step 5: Combine and Serve (for Immediate Eating)
If you are planning to eat the carrot noodle cups right away, pour about three-quarters of the prepared sauce over the vegetable and noodle mixture in the large bowl. Use tongs to gently toss everything together until every strand and vegetable is evenly coated in the luscious peanut sauce. Be gentle to avoid breaking the carrot noodles. Once everything is well-mixed, divide the noodle cups among four bowls. Garnish generously with the chopped roasted peanuts. You can also add an extra sprinkle of fresh cilantro or scallions.

Step 6: Assemble for Meal Prep (for Later)
If you are making these for meal prep, the key is to keep the sauce separate to maintain the crunchiness of the vegetables. Divide the dry carrot noodle and vegetable mixture evenly among four airtight containers or mason jars. Pour the prepared peanut sauce into four small, separate containers with lids. When you’re ready to eat, simply pour the sauce over the noodles, seal the container, give it a good shake to combine, and then enjoy. This method ensures your lunch is fresh, crunchy, and never soggy.