Removing Dried Noodles: Quick Tips To Clean Your Pan

Getting dried noodles out of a pan can be a tricky and messy affair, but it doesn't have to be! Here are some tips and tricks to help you master the art of cooking dried noodles, ensuring they come out perfectly every time. The key to success is understanding the nuances of boiling dried noodles, from choosing the right equipment to determining the perfect cooking time. With these tips, you'll be able to elevate your noodle dishes and make them the highlight of your meal.

Soak dried noodles in cold water for 30 minutes

Soaking dried rice noodles in cold water for 30 minutes is an important step in preparing them for cooking. This process softens the noodles, which are made from rice flour and water, and can be challenging to work with due to their tendency to quickly turn mushy. Soaking dried rice noodles is a critical step to ensure even cooking and reduce the chances of overcooking.

The duration of soaking depends on the size of the noodles. For small-sized noodles, a soaking time of 20-30 minutes is recommended. Medium-sized noodles require 50-60 minutes, while large-sized noodles need 90 minutes to 2 hours. Rice vermicelli, the thinnest variety, only needs 5-15 minutes.

After soaking, the noodles should be droopy and fully pliable without any resistance when lifted. This indicates they are ready for the next step—cooking them in boiling water. The boiling time will vary based on the style of rice noodle. For example, rice stick noodles should boil for about 5 minutes, while vermicelli-style rice noodles require only 2 minutes.

Once boiled, the noodles can be drained and are ready to be served. They can be used in various dishes, such as salads, soups, or even deep-fried as a popular bird's nest presentation.

Boil dried noodles for 5-12 minutes

To boil dried noodles for 5-12 minutes, follow these steps:

First, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Make sure you have enough water for the noodles to move around freely. You can add a pinch of salt to the water to give the noodles some extra flavour and help the water boil at a higher temperature, reducing the cooking time.

Once the water is boiling, carefully add the noodles to the pot. If the noodles are too long, you can break them in half to fit them in the pot. Be gentle when adding the noodles to avoid splashing hot water on yourself.

Let the noodles cook in the boiling water. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the noodles. For dried egg noodles, the cooking time is typically 6-8 minutes. For other types of dried noodles, such as rice noodles, the cooking time can range from 2 minutes for vermicelli-style noodles to 5 minutes for rice stick-style noodles. It's important not to overcook the noodles, as they can become mushy.

To check if the noodles are done, taste a noodle to see if it's soft enough to chew but still has a bit of bite, which is known as 'al dente'. You can also try tossing a noodle against the wall; if it sticks, it's ready. If the ends of the noodles are still white compared to the rest of the noodle, they need more time.

Once the noodles are cooked to your desired doneness, remove them from the heat and drain the water using a colander. You can then add a few drops of olive oil to the noodles and stir to prevent them from sticking together.

Your boiled dried noodles are now ready to be used in your favourite recipes, such as salads, soups, casseroles, or simply dressed with butter, olive oil, and seasonings. Enjoy!

Drain noodles with a colander

Draining noodles with a colander is a straightforward process, but there are a few tricks to ensure your noodles don't become a sticky mess.

Firstly, it's important to shake the colander a few times to get the noodles as dry as possible. This will prevent them from sticking together and becoming a clumpy mess. You can also try returning the noodles to the pan and tossing them with a little vegetable or peanut oil. This will also help to prevent sticking.

If you're using dried rice or cellophane noodles, you'll need to soak them in water until they're softened before draining them in a colander. Fresh rice noodles can be added directly to the pan.

When it comes to the type of colander you use, it's best to avoid those with a few big clusters of holes set into solid metal. These tend to drain water very slowly, causing your noodles to sit in hot water and overcook. Instead, opt for a colander with tiny perforations all over. Water streams quickly through these small holes, ensuring your noodles are drained efficiently and don't end up overcooked.

Rinse noodles under cold water to stop the cooking process

Rinsing noodles under cold water is an effective way to stop the cooking process and prevent overcooking. This technique is particularly useful for rice noodles, which are prone to becoming soggy and overcooked.

When cooking rice noodles, it is important to avoid boiling them, as this can lead to a mushy texture. Instead, soak the dried noodles in room-temperature or lukewarm water for 5-60 minutes, depending on the thickness of the noodles. For example, rice vermicelli noodles typically require 5-15 minutes of soaking, while larger noodles may need up to 2 hours.

After soaking, the noodles should droop completely and feel dry to the touch. At this stage, they are ready to be rinsed under cold water to halt the cooking process. This step is crucial, as it prevents the noodles from continuing to cook and becoming overdone.

Once rinsed, the noodles can be drained and are ready to be added to your dish. This method ensures that your rice noodles maintain the desired texture and do not become sticky or clumpy.

Toss noodles with oil to prevent sticking

To prevent your noodles from sticking to the pan, it is important to toss them with oil. This is especially important if you are not tossing the cooked noodles with sauce. While olive oil can be used to coat the noodles, it is not recommended if you are using a sauce, as it will prevent the sauce from adhering to the noodles. Instead, use a cooking oil such as sesame oil or peanut oil.

To do this, return the noodles to the pan you used to cook them and toss them with a little oil. This will prevent them from sticking to the pan and forming a big mass.

If you are not using a sauce, you can also prevent sticking by dusting fresh noodles with flour. This is crucial when making homemade pasta, as the fresh pasta releases moisture as it sits, causing the noodles to clump together.

Frequently asked questions