Cool Rice Noodle Nests Recipes

PORK STIR-FRY WITH NOODLE NESTS

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the mirin, tamari and cornstarch. Add the pork; seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour., Cook noodles according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Spread noodles over a paper towel-lined baking sheet; set aside., Drain and discard marinade from pork. In a small bowl, combine the broth, oyster sauce, mirin, tamari, cornstarch, ginger and garlic., In a large skillet or wok, stir-fry pork in oil for 2 minutes. Add the cabbage, corn, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, celery and shallots; cook 4-6 minutes longer or until pork is no longer pink and vegetables are crisp-tender., Stir cornstarch mixture and add to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in snow peas; heat through., Meanwhile, arrange noodles into six nests on a greased baking sheet; spray tops with cooking spray. Broil 4-5 in. from the heat for 7-9 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Serve with stir-fry.

COLD RICE NOODLES WITH GRILLED CHICKEN AND PEANUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the dipping sauce: Combine ingredients in a small serving bowl, making sure to dissolve the sugar. Leave to ripen for 15 minutes. Refrigerate any extra and use within a few days.
• Make the peanut dressing: In a blender or small food processor, puree all ingredients to a smooth sauce, about the thickness of heavy cream. Pour into a serving bowl.
• Put the chicken thighs in a low-sided bowl. To make the marinade, puree the garlic, ginger, lemon grass, fish sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar and cayenne in a blender or small food processor. Pour the marinade over the chicken and toss to coat. Let marinate at least 15 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of water to the boil, then turn off the heat. Add the rice vermicelli and soak for 7 to 8 minutes. (Package directions may vary; check for doneness by tasting). Drain when noodles are al dente, and cool under running water. Fluff and leave in strainer to drain well.
• Grill the chicken over coals on a stove-top grill pan, or under the broiler until nicely browned, about 3 to 4 minutes a side. Let cool slightly, then chop roughly into 3/4-inch pieces.
• In a small bowl, dress the cucumbers, carrots and mung bean sprouts with 1 tablespoon dipping sauce. Divide the cooked noodles among 4 bowls. Top each bowl equally with the cucumber mixture and chopped chicken. Spoon 2 teaspoons dipping sauce and 2 tablespoons peanut dressing over each portion. Add the basil, mint and cilantro sprigs, torn or roughly chopped (leave whole if leaves are small). Sprinkle with the scallions and crushed peanuts. Serve with lime wedges, and pass small bowls of the two sauces.

NOODLE NESTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spray, butter, or in some way lubricate your mini-muffin (or reg muffin pans) WELL, otherwise there is a good chance you will be digging these out of the pan (even silicon pans need a good oiling) and end up with a delicious mountain of destroyed nests. And muffin liners (even the foil ones) don't work well either, trust me.
• Cook pasta (or use left overs).
• Chop meat, cheese and onion; mix together with pasta.
• In a large measuring cup (2 cup works well), beat eggs slightly, stir in cream, milk, salt, pepper and nutmeg.
• Evenly distribute the dry mixture among the mini-muffin pans, then evenly pour custard mixture into each muffin cup. There will be left over - there always is. These puff up, so you don't necessarily want to take the liquids all the way up to the top.
• Bake for 35 minutes.
• Remove from oven, run a knife around the edge of each nest to loosen from the sides of the muffin cups. Let cool 5-10 min before removing.
• These are best warm, but usually consumed piping hot - be warned!
• Check description for flavor substitutes and make ahead instructions.

COLD RICE NOODLES WITH COCONUT MILK, PEANUTS AND LIME

Steps:

• Cook noodles in a large saucepan of boiling water according to package instructions until tender but still chewy. (They'll firm up when cool, so you want to cook them to softer than al dente). Drain the noodles in a colander, fill the saucepan with cold water, swish the noodles in the cold water, then drain again.
• In the empty pot, stir together the coconut milk, cilantro, chiles and fish sauce. Zest the limes over the pot, then halve one of the limes and squeeze its juice directly into the pot. Cut the remaining lime into 4 wedges.
• Toss the noodles in the coconut milk mixture. Taste and adjust seasonings. (The flavor should be coconut-y, lightly sweet and savory. If you can't taste the coconut, add more milk; if the mixture is too sweet, add more fish sauce.) Serve in bowls with peanuts scattered over top and lime wedges and chile sauce alongside. Spoon any collected coconut milk at the bottom of the pan over the noodles.

NESTING NOODLE RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a large, 14-inch skillet (with a lid) saute the mushrooms and 1 teaspoon salt in 2 tablespoons butter until liquid is evaporated and the mushrooms become nut brown, about 5-7 minutes. Add shallots and another tablespoon butter in the last couple minutes of cooking.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter, salt, and the rice, stirring to coat and lightly toasting the rice for about 3 minutes. Meanwhile bring the chicken stock to a boil.
• Make several holes in the rice and nestle in the noodle nests. Fit in as many nest as space will allow. Pour oven the hot chicken stock and cover, reduce heat to low and cook for 25 minutes, until rice is tender and noodles are cooked through.