We see Chinese noodles, we think - rice noodles. But oriental pasta can include green peas, mung beans, buckwheat and even green tea.
Traditionalnoodlesavailable in stores are made fromwheat flourwith the addition ofwaterands alt . Some contain eggs, bran, and sun-dried tomatoes, spinach powder, turmeric, and paprika which give the dumplings their color. The growing popularity of Japanese and Chinese dishes contributed to the enrichment of the assortment. There are pasta in oriental versions, made with the use of flour from legume seeds (beans, peas), rice flour or buckwheat flour. Sometimes it's hard to decide what to choose?
Asian noodles - exotic and convenient
To avoid mistakes, it is worth reading the composition of the product before buying. The name itself does not always clearly indicate what exactly something was made of. Only careful analysis allows us to make sure whether what we are going to add to the basket is the missing ingredient of the planned dish. Checking the composition can also provide important information for allergy sufferers and people suffering from food intolerance.
Pasta made from pea flour and mung beans is a popular ingredient in many Chinese cuisine. It is often mistakenly referred to as soybean noodles, although it does not contain soybeans at all. Pasta made from legume seeds can most often be purchased in the form of thin threads that do not require cooking. They are an express product and very convenient to use. They are prepared by pouring boiling water over them and leaving it covered for a few minutes. Then they increase volume and become firm. You can also throw them into a hot frying pan, making them tender. Mung bean noodles are transparent after heat treatment. Rice noodles are translucent (off-white) after preparation. Both rice and mung bean noodles do not have a distinct smell and taste, and therefore go well with most dishes. Most often, however, they are an addition to soups as well as vegetable and meat dishes prepared in a wok. Rice noodles are also good cold, e.g. as an addition to a salad. You can use bean noodles for salads, as long as you like it in this combination. Instant noodles are also popular in Chinese cuisinebased on wheat flour. They are i.a. ingredient of instant soups.
Japanese noodles
Somen pasta is made from wheat flour, soba - from wheat and buckwheat. The addition of the latter gives the product a nutty aftertaste and beige color, and increases the content of vitamin B1 and magnesium. Cha soba noodles contain green tea powder. Soba and somen are thin pastas, good for soups and sauces. They are boiled for 2-5 minutes. In Japan, thicker noodles are also popular - udon.
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