Steam-Frying Noodles: A Quick, Tasty Guide

Steam-fried noodles are a quick, easy, and delicious meal that can be prepared in a variety of ways. They are ideal for stir-fry or as a crisp garnish for a salad. The unique lightness and freshness of steam-fried noodles are due to the special process used in making them. This dish is typically cooked in a wok or a large non-stick frying pan. The noodles are boiled and then stir-fried with vegetables, meat, and a variety of sauces.

Preparing the ingredients

To prepare the ingredients for steam-fried noodles, start by gathering your ingredients. You can use either fresh noodles or dried noodles. Fresh noodles are the best option for pan-frying and can be found in the refrigerated section of your grocery store. If you're using dried noodles, look for the thinnest variety of dried egg noodles. You will also need vegetable oil, salt, and water for boiling the noodles.

For the stir-fry, you can choose a variety of vegetables such as carrots, bean sprouts, green onions, mushrooms, and broccoli. You can also add protein such as beef, chicken, or shrimp. Other ingredients to enhance the flavour include garlic, ginger, chilli flakes, soy sauce, peanut sauce, and hoisin sauce.

Once you have gathered all the ingredients, it's time to start preparing them. First, cut the protein into thin strips or cubes if you're using meat or poultry. If you're using shrimp, make sure to peel and devein them. Cut the carrots into thin strips or grate them, and slice the green onions thinly. If you're using broccoli, cut it into small, bite-sized pieces. For mushrooms, wash them and cut them in half.

Boiling the noodles

Start by bringing a large pot of water to a rolling boil. The amount of water will depend on the quantity of noodles you are cooking. As a guide, use 8 to 10 cups of water for every pound of noodles. Once the water reaches a full boil, add a generous amount of salt to the pot. This will season the noodles as they cook. You can also add a small amount of oil to the water if you like, which can help prevent the noodles from sticking together. However, this step is optional and not necessary if you plan to toss the noodles in oil after boiling.

Next, carefully place the noodles into the pot of boiling water. Use a long-handled spoon or spatula to gently stir the noodles once or twice, ensuring they are fully submerged and separated. It is important not to over-stir the noodles, as this can make them sticky and mushy.

Depending on the type of noodles you are using, the cooking time will vary. For fresh noodles, 1 to 2 minutes in the boiling water is usually sufficient. For dried noodles, follow the package instructions, which typically recommend boiling for around 3 minutes or until softened. Keep in mind that you want the noodles to be slightly undercooked, as they will continue to cook later in the stir-frying process.

Once the noodles are done to your liking, remove the pot from the heat. Carefully pour the noodles into a colander or strainer to drain the water. Give the noodles a gentle shake to remove any excess water. If you are not planning to use the noodles immediately, you can toss them with a small amount of oil to prevent sticking.

At this point, your noodles are ready to be used in your stir-fry or other recipes. If you are not using them right away, you can run them under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent overcooking. You can also spread the noodles out in a large colander and place the colander over a pot of boiling water to steam them for a more authentic texture.

Frying the vegetables

First, prepare your vegetables of choice. Common options include onions, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Cut the vegetables into thin strips or bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. You can also grate or mince the vegetables, depending on your preference and the specific vegetable.

Next, heat some oil in a wok or a large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. You can use cooking oil, sesame oil, or peanut oil for this step. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the vegetables to the pan. It's best to add the vegetables gradually, stirring them into the hot oil as you go. This technique helps to prevent the oil from losing temperature and ensures that the vegetables cook evenly.

For softer vegetables like onions, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes or until they soften should be sufficient. Harder vegetables like carrots and broccoli will need a little longer in the pan. Keep stirring or tossing the vegetables occasionally to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.

If you're cooking multiple types of vegetables, you may want to cook them separately. This allows you to control the cooking time for each vegetable, ensuring that nothing gets overcooked or undercooked. As each batch finishes cooking, set it aside and continue with the next batch, adding a teaspoon of oil to the pan as needed.

Once all your vegetables are cooked to your desired level of doneness, set them aside and prepare your noodles for frying. When the noodles are ready, you can combine the vegetables and noodles in the pan, tossing them together with your sauce of choice. Continue cooking for a few more minutes, stirring frequently, until everything is heated through and well-combined.

And that's it! You've successfully fried the vegetables for your steam-fried noodles. Remember, the key to this step is to monitor the heat and adjust your cooking time based on the type of vegetable you're using. Enjoy your delicious and nutritious steam-fried noodles!

Making the sauce

To make the sauce for your steam-fried noodles, you can use a variety of ingredients depending on your taste preferences. Here are some options and steps to make the sauce:

Option 1:

In a small mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, soy sauce, peanut sate sauce, and V-H dry-garlic sauce. Adjust the amounts of each ingredient to suit your taste. You can also add other ingredients like fresh ginger and garlic to enhance the flavour. This sauce is perfect if you're making beef and broccoli steam-fried noodles.

Option 2:

For a simpler sauce, you can just use soy sauce and sesame oil. Sprinkle these over your noodles and toss to coat. This option is great if you're in a hurry or prefer a more subtle flavour.

Option 3:

If you want a more complex sauce, you can combine soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and pressed garlic. This sauce will add a savoury and slightly sweet flavour to your noodles. It's a good option if you're looking for something different from the usual soy sauce-based sauces.

Option 4:

For a very savoury sauce, you can use oyster sauce and soya sauce. Heat some oil in a wok or frying pan, add ginger and onion, and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Then, add the noodles and fry for a few minutes before stirring in the sauce.

Feel free to adjust the quantities and add your favourite ingredients to create a unique sauce that suits your taste!

Stir-frying the noodles

Firstly, it is important to use fresh noodles for pan-frying. Fresh noodles are pre-cooked and can usually be found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. They are the best option for pan-frying as they make the process easier and quicker. If using dried noodles, it is recommended to opt for the thinnest variety of dried egg noodles.

Before stir-frying, the noodles should be cooked in boiling water. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt, and then add the noodles. Stir once or twice, and cook the noodles according to the package directions, usually for about 3 minutes. Once cooked, drain the noodles and set them aside.

To prevent the noodles from sticking together, it is essential to pat them dry after draining. Then, lightly toss them in sesame oil or canola oil before proceeding to the stir-frying step. This step ensures that the noodles will not stick to the pan or to each other.

Now, it's time to stir-fry the noodles. Heat a wok or a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the oil. You can use sesame oil, canola oil, or a combination of both. Once the oil is hot, add the noodles to the pan. Fry the noodles for about 3 to 5 minutes, turning them regularly to ensure even cooking.

During the stir-frying process, you can also add seasonings and sauces to enhance the flavour of the noodles. Soy sauce, sesame oil, and ramen seasoning packets are commonly used to add a savoury and umami flavour to the dish. Simply sprinkle or drizzle them over the noodles and toss to coat evenly.

If you are cooking vegetables or meat to accompany the noodles, you can add them to the wok or skillet at this stage. Stir-fry the ingredients together, ensuring that everything is combined well. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes or until the noodles are tender and the other ingredients are cooked to your desired doneness.

Finally, once the noodles are stir-fried to perfection, reduce the heat to low and keep tossing them gently until they are tender. This final step ensures that the noodles are cooked evenly and have a perfect texture.

By following these detailed instructions, you will be able to master the art of stir-frying noodles for your steam-fried noodle dish. Enjoy experimenting with different types of noodles, oils, and seasonings to create a delicious and satisfying meal.

Frequently asked questions