Rice noodles originated in the south of China made of rice flour and water. They are placed in water rice storage for up to nine months to age. It’s then cleaned and then fermented for days. Once it’s fermented, it’s grounded to produce flour. Afterwards, the dough is formed by adding boiling water to flour, making the starch bind. The last step is shaping the noodles into sheets and rice noodles. There’s a big difference between noodles and pasta. Any starchy materials make noodles, and Durum wheat in boiled water makes pasta. If you want an alternative to wheat noodles, rice noodles will be the right option as they have carbohydrates. Here are 5 rice noodles you need to try this year.
Saucy Stir-Fried Noodles
For stir-fried dishes, soak rice noodles for about five minutes in hot water until soft. They break so easily to become chewy and quickly absorb flavors. Afterwards, add spices, sauces, and proteins of your choice to a hot pan and mix it.
Rice Noodles In Spring rolls
You can use rice noodles both inside and outside of spring rolls. You can also serve spring rolls on top of rice noodles. In that case, you have to add fresh herbs such as cilantro, mint, lettuce, and basil.
For that extra kick, you can dunk the spring rolls in a dipping sauce. Another method is using them inside fried spring rolls to absorb the ingredients without overpowering the flavors.
They are also sticky enough, which cement the filing together and glue the rice papers. When used in spring rolls, rice noodles are soaked in water to soften them up, then wrap up the ingredients.
You can use different fillings that you enjoy. The versatility of fillings ranges from chopped veggies, cooked pork, shrimp or veggies, herbs, rice noodles. These spring rolls can either be fried or eaten fresh.
Fresh Vietnamese, Asian, Chinese food frame on black concrete background. Spring rolls rice paper, lettuce, salad, vermicelli, noodles, shrimps, fish sauce, sweet chili, soy, lemon. Top view. Source – Adobe stock image
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Rice Noodles In Salads
The versatility of rice noodles allows them to be used in salads too. They add more depth to it as they are sticky and absorb flavors. You can opt to use rice noodles with chopped vegetables, different herbs such as cilantro, and a dressing of your choice if you prefer a heavy flavor.
Another great option is by mixing cabbage, peanuts, radish, bell peppers, carrots, and any protein you like with satay peanut sauce that makes it great. A Vietnamese vegetarian noodle salad may satisfy that craving for vegetarians who want options.
All you will need is ½ pound extra firm tofu that can either be marinated or baked for a different flavor. You can also get greens of your choice such as lettuce, mung bean sprouts, and julienned cucumber.
Add all this in a bowl with chopped peanuts and mixed herbs such as basil, mint, and cilantro. You can use the sauce on top of this: two tablespoons of lime juice, soy sauce, sugar, four tablespoons of water, and a crushed clove of garlic.
Rice Noodles In Dessert
If you are a fan of sweet desserts, you can opt for a rice pudding. They are vegan and gluten-free, making them suitable for everyone. Start by mixing all your ingredients in a bowl. Place coconut milk, cardamom powder, shredded coconut, sugar of your choice, and soft rice noodles into a bowl and stir well.
To get your rice noodles soft, place them in warm water for a while. You can choose to add fruits, nuts, or sweet spices to bring a dessert that you love. This dessert can be as versatile as you like and can be served either hot or cold based on your preference.
Three flavoured noodles, Guizo fish, Double pepper chicken
Rice Noodles In Soup
Soup is a staple in Vietnamese culture, with different varieties present. Rice noodles can be in soup as it soaks up the flavors without overpowering them. When making rice noodle soup, keep the noodles separate from the soup until it’s ready to serve.
Heat oil and add shallot and ginger to cook in a pan for 3-5 minutes. Afterwards, add the green curry paste and keep stirring. Once it’s cooked, add chicken broth, fish sauce, coconut milk, brown sugar, turmeric, and lime sugar, then let it simmer.
In a different bowl, cook rice noodles and sit in boiling water until it softens, then drain. Serve the rice noodles and chicken bowl, then pour the broth on top and sprinkle some scallions.
Bottom Line
Rice noodles can be cooked and eaten in different ways. You can make spicy stir-fried vegetables with rice noodles and a protein of your choice.
Your salads don’t have to be boring anymore as you can use rice noodles with greens, peanuts, and a sauce of your choice. You can use rice noodles in puddings with fruits, nuts, or sweet spices for a sweet dessert. Use it in soups to enjoy all the flavors. Did you enjoy these 5 rice noodles to try?
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