Stir-fries can also refer to noodles in addition to vegetables and rice. One of our favorite comfort dishes for weeknights is noodle stir-fries. These stir-fries, which can be prepared quickly with lo mein or rice noodles, which are ideal for everything from tender bok cabbage to thinly sliced chicken breast.
Here is a Guide for Stir-Frying Noodles
An Easy Stir-Fry of Noodles
This stir-fry qualifies as simple in both the English and Chinese senses of the word. In the English sense, a simple stir-fry is one in which ingredients are added to the hot wok one after the other. This is how you might see someone performing it at a hawker stand on the streets of China.
Garlic and ginger are among the aromatic components that are first stir-fried in a hot wok; these aromatics will season the entire dish with a delicate flavor. You stir-fry any meat, such as chicken or beef, and add veggies, such as bok choy or red bell peppers.
The noodles and the liquid stir-fry ingredients are added last. We prefer to toss the noodles with the other ingredients, “like tossing a salad,” using a flexible metal spatula in one hand and bamboo chopsticks in the other. You can also use two spatulas.
Transferring ingredients to a dish and tossing everything together at the end is an option if your wok seems crowded or the meat is beginning to feel overcooked. If not, prepare the entire dish at once in the same wok.
The Best Noodles for Stir-Frying
Any noodle can be used in stir-fries. Noodles should be prepared to be al dente and yet have some bite. Thinner noodles, like cellophane rice noodles, typically only need to be soaked, and this means cooking them for a few minutes in boiling water for most noodles.
Soba Noodles
One of the best meals to make with soba noodles is stir fry. Soba is an excellent gluten-free and vegan choice. It takes about ten minutes to cook. After you finish cooking the noodles, rinse them under cold water. Add any vegetables you like. Some great options are zucchini, green beans, snow peas, different cabbage varieties, and oyster mushrooms.
Soba noodles are not too complicated to prepare and can be made with various ingredients. Soba noodles are faster to cook than other dried noodles and are ready in five to six minutes. However, they should be cooked to al dente, not mushy. Overcooking soba noodles will cause them to break apart and become mush. After cooking, you should rinse them thoroughly in cold water, removing any excess starch in the noodles and helping them stay together.
Udon Noodles
This recipe calls for stir-frying frozen Udon noodles. By doing so, you’ll avoid the risk of overcooking your noodles. In addition, you’ll find the noodles to be easier to separate from one another. Rinsing them under cold water is a good idea, too, to avoid them sticking together while they’re cooking. If you have trouble separating the noodles, drizzle them with oil before storing them.
To begin the stir-frying process, you’ll need a large wok. This will hold enough ingredients to make two or three servings. Add some vegetables. These don’t have to be too long. To make a traditional Japanese Udon Noodle stir-fry, use soba and shitake mushrooms. Be sure to use fresh vegetables since the older ones can become soft and mushy.
Shirataki Noodles
To prepare the most delicious Shirataki noodles, follow the steps below. First, boil a large pot of water, and drain the noodles in a colander. Next, rinse them under cold water. Pour the noodles into the boiling water and cook for 2 minutes until they turn a squeaky white color. Add lemon juice and other veggies to the dish to avoid the noodle odor.
Before cooking the shirataki, make sure to rinse and drain them. Add the sauce and cook until the shirataki is slightly charred. Alternatively, you can use konjac root, which is high in fiber and low in calories, and this root is also sugar-free and vegan. As long as you cook it properly, you can enjoy delicious shirataki noodles on a low-carb diet.
Standard Egg Noodles
When cooking a stir-fry, the most common ingredient is traditional egg noodles. Egg noodles are a popular choice because they tend to absorb more sauce than other varieties. Unlike spaghetti, egg noodles are also available in new and vacuum-sealed containers.
To prepare this dish, follow these simple steps: To start preparing the stir-fry, prepare the vegetables. Thin ones like cellophane rice noodles don’t require boiling water. After draining, shake them gently. Then, add enough sauce to cover them. For a healthy stir-fry, use six cups of vegetables, and add more to make the dish more balanced. Finally, add the sauce. You can use any sauce you like and adjust the heat according to your preference.
Rice Noodles
If you are craving stir-fried rice noodles, try these tips to make them even better. In addition to their delicious taste, these noodles can save you a lot of time and money compared to other types of pasta. The first step in making rice noodles is to soak them in water; the longer they drink, the better. Be sure to keep hot tap water away from the noodles while drowning.
Stirring the noodles in water helps to prevent sticking. One of the most popular ways to prepare rice noodles is to equip them with a simple stir-fry sauce. Add fresh vegetables and sliced mushrooms to the stir-fry sauce to make it healthier. For added protein, add eggs or chicken, if desired. The perfect meal is ready in just a few minutes, too! It is the ideal choice for busy weeknights! Make sure to use high-quality vegetable stock to avoid burning your noodles.
Making an Outstanding Stir-Fry Noodles
More than a recipe, a noodle stir-fry is a technique. Add four to five cups of stir-fry items, such as bell peppers, snow peas, bok choy, or napa cabbage, in addition to the noodles. To make it simpler and faster to stir-fry harder veggies, like broccoli or carrots, blanch or steam them before adding them. Be sure to use specific items for the sauce and liquid seasonings. Young’s go-to seasoning for stir-fried noodles is a simple mixture of 1 tablespoon soy sauce and one tablespoon rice wine or dry sherry. Add some oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, chili-garlic sauce, or Sriracha for spice for something a little thicker and more akin to takeout. The best time to serve noodle stir-fries is straight soon, while they are still boiling from the wok. A wok can only hold two to four people comfortably, making them perfect for a midweek meal for two to four people.
Recipe
Guidelines
1. Combine the chicken with a portion of the soy sauce. Even quickly, this aids in flavoring and tenderizing the chicken.
2. Combine the ingredients for the stir fry sauce.
3. Prepare the noodles just shy of being al dente.
4. In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook your protein of choice—chicken, pork, etc.
5. Spoon half the stir-fry sauce into the pan.
6. Include the noodles and stir them into the sauce.
7. Include the eggs, chicken, remaining sauce, and sriracha.
8. Once the eggs are cooked, cook and stir for a few more minutes.
9. Add green onions on top. ENJOY!
Adaptations of Recipes
- To convert to vegetarian. To make this recipe vegan, omit the chicken or substitute tempeh or tofu. Leave off the eggs and chicken, or substitute tofu or tempeh.
- To eliminate gluten. A gluten-free soy sauce, hoisin, and gluten-free noodles should be used.
Making Ahead and Storing Advice
- Making Ahead All veggies should be chopped and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container up to a day in advance. The stir fry sauce can be made up to a day in advance and kept in the fridge in a separate airtight storage container.
- To Keep. Stir-fry leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in sealed containers.
- To Warm Up. In a skillet over medium heat on the stovetop, reheat leftovers.
- To Frost. Stir fry can be frozen for up to three months in an airtight freezer-safe storage container. Before reheating, let defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
Are the Noodles Boiled Before Being Stir-Fried?
Noodles used for stir-frying typically need to be presoaked or cooked before using. Noodles in a stir-fry should be boiled until they are the right consistency if you use egg noodles, wheat noodles, or buckwheat noodles.
The boiled noodles are always cooked until golden on one side before being flipped over and finished cooking. Before cooking, the noodles can optionally be put in a cake pan to give them a more aesthetically pleasing shape.
Noodles: are they Healthier than Rice?
Rice is the best option for lower calorie and carbohydrate content. However, pasta defeats rice if you’re looking for protein and fiber. Despite this, both can be included in a balanced diet; the choice frequently comes down to personal preference because the nutritional differences are so slight.
Does Stir-Frying Help you Lose Weight?
Fiber and water both increase bulk without adding calories. Vegetable-rich stir-fry recipes can aid in weight loss while providing you with enough food to make you feel satisfied.
Reasons to Cut your Noodles
If you are familiar with Chinese birthday customs, you are likely aware that cutting your noodles—accidentally or on purpose—shortens your life. Noodles stand for long life, so doing so signifies a shorter life. Although this is a beautiful tradition for celebratory meals and special occasions, We advise cutting your noodles before adding them to the wok for regular noodle stir-fries. When you add them to the wok, they form a vast mass if you don’t cut them up first. Combining the noodles with the other stir-fry ingredients is simpler after cutting them. After draining the noodles, you can cut the noodles in the colander or pot after draining them. Then after emptying the noodles, cut them with a pair of kitchen shears while still in the strainer or saucepan. There is no need to be precise; aim for between six and eight inches long pieces.
Conclusion
Make these Stir Fry Noodles the next time making dinner seems like a chore. We have a Class-A Weeknight Wonder: whole grain noodles tossed with a tonne of vegetables (whatever ones you have on hand) and your protein of choice (we chose chicken). Any ingredient can be used in this noodle stir fry recipe, and the flavor is everything. This variation on Chinese stir-fried noodles is adjustable in just about every way. This is a general recipe that wants you to be successful.
