Glass noodles are a versatile food, and pan-Asian recipes are a great source of serving ideas. Cooks should note the noodles generally need to be cut, and this is best done after soaking. To avoid clumping of the noodles during preparation, cooks can toss them with a bit of oil. They tend to be best when served in dishes that have varied textures. If, however, a dish is being prepared for the future, the noodles should not be added in advance.
One of the great things about glass noodles is that they are very versatile. They can be served hot, room temperature, or even cold depending upon the type of dish they are a part of. Individuals who know that they want to use these noodles but who lack ideas for serving them can get ideas from Malaysian, Korean, and Japanese cuisine.
These noodles are generally too long for most people. Preparation normally begins with soaking them. After this is done tends to be the best time to cut them to the desired length.
Most people enjoy their meals more if their glass noodles are not in clumps. When fixing a dish that calls for preparing the noodles and setting them aside, however, clumping does become a risk. It is one that can be avoided, though, if the noodles are tossed with some type of oil after removing them from the water. For best results, when using an oil such as sesame oil to cook the other part of the dish, it is a good idea to also use it to toss the glass noodles.
Glass noodles are often best when they are in dishes with varying textures. In a salad, for example, the softness of the noodles can be offset by the crispness of the lettuce. This is also true with cooked dishes. Recipes such as those for stir-fries with glass noodles commonly instruct cooks to leave the vegetables crisp. Many also call for the inclusion of sesame seeds or bean sprouts, which can be great texture additions.
These noodles are often included in stews, soups, and dishes with a lot of sauce. When those dishes will be served and eaten immediately, it is acceptable to add the glass noodles. On the contrary, when dishes are being prepared for future use, due to the fact that glass noodles are very absorbent, they should only be added immediately before consumption.
