Steaming Noodles: The Ultimate Guide To Cooking Dried Steamed Noodles

Steamed dried noodles are a delicious and simple dish to prepare. The process involves boiling water, adding salt, and then the dried noodles, stirring carefully to separate them. After a few minutes of cooking, the noodles are drained and placed in a colander. The colander is then put in a pot with boiling water, covered, and steamed for around 20 minutes. It is important to note that the thinnest variety of dried egg noodles should be used for this recipe. This cooking method results in chewy noodles that can be used in various dishes, such as chow mein or served with a delicious sauce and vegetables.

Preparing the noodles for cooking

Firstly, select the right type of noodles. For steamed dried noodles, it is recommended to use the thinnest variety of dried egg noodles. These noodles are typically found in the refrigerated aisle of Asian markets and are known by various names, such as steamed noodles, Hong Kong noodles, or Hokkien noodles. Look for round, yellow noodles to ensure authenticity.

Next, gather the necessary equipment. You will need a large pot, a colander that fits comfortably inside the pot, and a lid to cover the pot during the steaming process. Additionally, a wooden spoon or chopsticks will come in handy for stirring the noodles.

Now, let's prepare the noodles. Start by bringing a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt to the water—this will not only season the noodles but also prevent them from sticking together. Once the water is boiling vigorously, it's time to add the noodles. Use your hands or a spoon to carefully place the noodles into the pot, stirring once or twice to separate them.

The noodles will only need to cook for a short time, approximately 2 to 4 minutes, or according to the manufacturer's instructions. It's important not to overcook them at this stage, as they will continue cooking during the steaming process. Once the noodles are flexible but still al dente, it's time to remove them from the heat. Drain the noodles in a colander and give them a quick rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and remove any excess starch.

At this point, your noodles are ready for the steaming process. However, before proceeding, ensure you have prepared any other components of your dish, such as sauces, vegetables, or meats, as the steamed noodles should be served immediately after steaming to maintain their chewy texture.

In summary, preparing dried steamed noodles involves selecting the right type of noodles, gathering the necessary equipment, boiling the noodles briefly, and then draining and rinsing them before they are ready for the final steaming step.

Boiling the noodles

To cook dried steamed noodles, you'll first need to prepare the noodles by boiling them. Here's a step-by-step guide to boiling the noodles:

• Bring Water to a Boil: Start by filling a large pot with water. Place the pot on your stove and turn the heat to high. Bring the water to a rolling boil. The amount of water you use will depend on the number of noodles you plan to cook. As a guide, use 8 to 10 cups of water for 1 pound of noodles.
• Add Salt: Once the water is boiling, add a pinch of salt. Salt will help season the noodles and enhance their flavour.
• Add Noodles and Stir: Carefully add the desired amount of dried steamed noodles to the pot. Use a wooden spoon or chopsticks to gently stir the noodles once or twice. This will help prevent the noodles from sticking together.
• Boil the Noodles: Continue boiling the noodles for 2 to 4 minutes, or follow the instructions on the noodle package for the recommended cooking time. Keep an eye on the noodles to ensure they don't overcook, as this can cause them to fall apart.
• Stir and Drain: Give the noodles a final stir to separate them, then remove the pot from the heat. Drain the noodles in a colander.
• Rinse and Toss with Oil: After draining, rinse the noodles under cold water. This will stop the cooking process and help cool them down. You can also toss the noodles with a bit of vegetable or canola oil to prevent them from sticking together.

Once your noodles are boiled and drained, you can proceed to the next step, which is steaming the noodles.

Draining and rinsing the noodles

Firstly, after boiling the noodles, you will need to remove them from the pot. This can be done by carefully pouring the noodles and water through a colander in your sink. Make sure to use a colander that is large enough to avoid any spillage. You can also use a large mesh strainer if you have one available.

Once the noodles are drained, spread them out in the colander or strainer. This will help to prevent them from sticking together as they cool. Give the noodles a quick rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process and remove any excess starch. This is particularly important if you are cooking dried noodles, as they tend to have more starch than fresh noodles.

If you are cooking steamed noodles, you will need to take an extra step before draining the noodles. After boiling, place the colander of noodles in a pot containing several inches of boiling water. Cover the pot and steam the noodles for around 20 minutes. This will give them a delightful chewy texture. Then, simply drain the noodles in the same way as you would for boiled noodles.

Finally, once the noodles are drained and rinsed, you can return them to the pot or place them in a bowl. At this stage, it is a good idea to toss the noodles with a small amount of oil. This will help to prevent them from sticking together as they cool down. You can use vegetable oil, canola oil, or any other mild-flavoured oil of your choice.

Preparing the steamer

Firstly, ensure you have the right equipment. You will need a large pot with a lid, a steamer basket or rack that fits inside the pot, and a large colander that can sit inside the pot. The colander should be large enough to hold the noodles comfortably and allow for steam circulation. If you don't have a steamer basket or rack, you can create a makeshift one by placing a heat-safe bowl or plate upside down in the pot, and then placing the colander on top.

Once you have gathered your equipment, fill the pot with water. The water level should be below the bottom of the steamer basket/rack or the upside-down bowl/plate if using that method. Bring this water to a rolling boil.

While the water is heating up, you can prepare your steamer basket/rack. Lightly coat it with non-stick cooking spray or a neutral-flavoured oil like canola or vegetable oil. This step is important as it will prevent the noodles from sticking to the steamer.

Place the oiled steamer basket/rack inside the pot, ensuring it is secure and stable. The boiling water should not touch the bottom of the steamer. If it does, carefully remove some water until the correct level is reached.

Now, your steamer is almost ready! The final step is to prepare a large sheet of parchment paper. Place this on the steaming rack, creating a barrier between the noodles and the steamer. This will ensure that no water touches the noodles during the steaming process, which is crucial for achieving the right texture.

With these steps completed, your steamer is now fully prepared and you can move on to cooking the noodles.

Cooking the noodles in the steamer

To cook dried steamed noodles, you will need to first boil them. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the dried noodles and stir carefully to separate them. Boil the noodles for 2 to 4 minutes, or according to the manufacturer's instructions. Do not overcook the noodles, as they will fall apart. Remove the noodles from the boiling water and drain them in a colander. Toss the noodles with oil to prevent them from sticking together.

Now, you are ready to steam the noodles. Lightly coat a steamer basket with nonstick cooking spray and place it in a large pot. Add enough water to the pot to fill the space below the steamer basket. Bring the water to a boil. Rinse the noodles in cool water and place them in the steamer basket. Cover the pot and steam the noodles for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the noodles from the steamer basket and drain them without turning off the heat. Rinse the noodles in hot water to remove the starch, then return them to the steamer basket. Steam the noodles for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Alternatively, you can place the noodles on a large sheet of parchment paper on a steaming rack. Drizzle the noodles with oil and toss them lightly to coat. Steam the noodles for 10 to 12 minutes over high heat. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your noodles.

Once the noodles are steamed, you can add them to your favourite noodle recipe or serve them with a sauce or other ingredients.

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