However, there is a common issue that many people face when stir-frying glass noodles: they often end up mushy or clumped together, making the dish less appealing.
According to experienced chefs, there are secrets to achieving the perfect stir-fried glass noodles with a balance of chewiness and a slight crunch without sticking together. What are these secrets, you ask? Read on to find out!
1. Selecting the Right Glass Noodles
This first step is crucial as it determines the success of your dish. Experienced chefs recommend choosing glass noodles with intact strands that don’t feel too dry, brittle, or prone to breaking when tested. Look for noodles with uniform strands that aren’t stuck together.
2. Pre-cooking Preparation for Glass Noodles
Typically, glass noodles need to be soaked before stir-frying to soften them slightly. However, it’s important not to soak the entire bundle at once. Soaking long strands together can cause tangling and increase the chances of clumping during stir-frying.
When cutting the noodles, aim for a length of about 20cm (a handspan) per strand. Avoid cutting them too short, as they may break apart during stir-frying and become difficult to pick up with chopsticks. It’s a good idea to rinse the noodles before cutting to remove any dust and make the cutting process easier.
Once the noodles are cut, it’s time to soak them. Use warm water for soaking, as it helps soften the noodles more effectively. Cold water takes a long time to soften the noodles, especially in colder weather. Avoid using boiling or very hot water, as it can cause the noodles to over-expand and become mushy, leading to clumping during stir-frying. Soak the noodles in warm water for about 15 minutes. After soaking, you’ll notice that the strands are supple and chewy.
3. Stir-frying Glass Noodles
After soaking, drain the noodles in a colander and let them air dry. Since the noodles were only soaked in warm water, they won’t stick together, so there’s no need to rinse them with cold water or coat them with oil before stir-frying.
Prepare your other ingredients, such as meat, seafood, crab, and vegetables. Sauté your aromatics (onion or garlic), and then stir-fry the other ingredients until they are almost cooked. Only then should you add the glass noodles. Avoid stir-frying the noodles with the other ingredients from the start, as this will cause them to break apart.
Season to taste and continue stir-frying until the noodles are cooked through. If the dish seems a little dry, you can add a small amount of water, but be careful not to add too much, or the noodles will clump together. Use a high flame for stir-frying. Once the noodles are done, serve them immediately.
Good luck, and happy cooking!
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