Noodle Mania

Hello Ladies!

I was at my local health food store the other day and got an opportunity to try a super delicious dish.  I immediately asked the owner what the heck it was and whether or not she carried any of the ingredients in the store.  I was ecstatic when I found out I could purchase everything I needed from the store...Yeah, I know ecstatic is a bit much but what can I say I am a food nerd.

The dish was a combination of sweet potato starch noodles known as (Korean Vermicelli), carrots, and spinach.  I believe the dish is referred to as japchae or chapchae.  I only grabbed about a two handfuls of noodles.  I didn't want to go overboard considering I had no idea how to recreate what I had just eaten.  The owner was very helpful and gave me great cooking instructions.  I followed what she said and the noodle mix with vegetables came out perfect.   This is a great vegetarian recipe and the noodles can be eaten cold or warm.  If you are not a vegetarian you can always add protein to your dish.  Beef or chicken would work great I suppose.  Peep the ingredients and results below...

Ingredients
One bundle or (an entire fistful of noodles)
a bag of spinach (I recommend using a bag.  I always think I have a lot of spinach until it cooks down and I notice I only have a teaspoon)
1 small bag of carrots (I used shredded carrot sticks)
Sesame oil
garlic
salt and pepper
soy sauce

Directions
Bring about 4 quarts of water to a boil.
Drop noodles in water and boil for about 5-6 minutes
Drain noodles from water
While noodles are cooling add about one to two tablespoons of sesame oil  to a medium sized sauce pan. Chop up one garlic clove and let simmer in oil for a minute or so.  Add spinach and carrots to sauce pan and cook on medium heat for about 3 minutes or so.
Add spinach and carrots to noodles.
Add salt and pepper to taste.  I use a pinch or two of sea salt and the same amount of pepper.
Add soy sauce to taste.  I only used a table spoon of soy sauce because I try NOT to use excessive amounts of sodium.  This recipe can be tweaked to your taste.  I did not have a hand written recipe so had to seriously improvise.  All and all I was able to recreate the dish.

Viola! Noodle Mania!

Check you later

Same bat-time same bat-channel

K.D.