Kwetiau is a kind of semi-transparent pasta made from rice flour and water. Most are very long and thin, but you can also find flat noodles. These kwetiau cook quickly and can actually turn to mush if cooked too long, so it's important to know how to cook kwetiau properly.
Ingredients
Makes 4 to 6 servings
- 8 oz (225 g) kwetiau
- Water
- Sesame oil (optional)
Step
Method 1 of 4: Soak in Warm Water
Step 1. Know that when you should use warm water
If you plan to cook the kwetiau in "pad Thai" or another stir-fry dish, use the warm water method to cook the kwetiau so that the kwetiau is slightly soft but still firm inside.
This method also works well if you add the kwetiau to the soup, but you can add the kwetiau to the soup without soaking or cooking the kwetiau first
Step 2. Put the kwetiau in a large bowl or pot
Wheat kwetiau is very fragile, so you need to be careful when handling it raw. Otherwise, the kwetiau you decide will multiply.
Note that fresh kwetiau is very soft, but most of the kwetiau sold is hardened, already brittle. Fresh kwetiau does not need to be cooked or soaked in water. Instead, the kwetiau will be added directly to the side dishes served or steamed
Step 3. Soak the kwetiau in warm water
The water should be warm, but not yet steaming. Let the kwetiau soak for 7 to 10 minutes or until the kwetiau begins to separate.
Step 4. Prepare the kwetiau for the next step
Since these are only half cooked, you should transfer them to another dish immediately or store them so they don't stick to each other or dry out.
- Dry the kwetiau. The easiest way to do this is to sift the kwetiau through a sieve.
- Rinse the kwetiau in cold water to stop the cooking process. Dry once again.
- Add the kwetiau to stir-fries or soups when the dish is nearing the end of the cooking process.
- If you're not ready to add the kwetiau to the dish again, add the kwetiau with a little sesame oil so that the kwetiau doesn't dry out or clump. Store in a tightly sealed bag at normal room temperature to slow down the drying process.
Method 2 of 4: Soaking in Boiling Water
Step 1. Know when to use boiling water
Boiling water can be used temporarily or completely in cooking the kwetiau, but it's the only way to cook the kwetiau if you don't plan on further cooking the kwetiau as part of another dish.
The simmering method works especially well if you plan to use kwetiau in cold noodle dishes, including salads and legumes. Boiling the kwetiau is also recommended for flat kwetiau used as wrappers
Step 2. Put the kwetiau in a heatproof saucepan or bowl
Dried oatmeal is very fragile, so it must be handled with care if you don't want to crush it into small pieces.
Fresh kwetiau won't crumble, but it won't be cooked in boiling water. In contrast, kwetiau is usually steamed or added to other recipes without being soaked first
Step 3. Pour boiling water over the kwetiau
Unlike wheat kwetiau, this kwetiau is not boiled in water over direct heat. Instead, the kwetiau should be covered with boiling water and allowed to cook off the stove.
- To cook the kwetiau, let the kwetiau soak for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring gently every 1 to 2 minutes to allow the kwetiau to separate from each other. The kwetiau is ready to cook when the kwetiau is really limp. Thin kwetiau can be cooked in under 7 minutes, while flat kwetiau can take more than 10 minutes if thick kwetiau.
- Quickly remove the kwetiau if you plan to cook the kwetiau with other dishes. The kwetiau should be pulled out once they start to separate if you plan to cook the kwetiau further with other dishes. It will take a few minutes
- To cook chewy kwetiau, soak the kwetiau in warm water first before cooking the kwetiau in boiling water. Soak the kwetiau in warm water until the kwetiau begins to limp. Drain, then finish cooking in boiling water with an additional 2 minutes or until the center of the kwetiau is chewy but not tough.
Step 4. Toss the kwetiau with the sesame oil
Tossing the kwetiau with the sesame oil will prevent the kwetiau from clumping or drying out, which is ideal if you plan to serve the kwetiau alone or in a cold dish.
Skip this step if you are adding the kwetiau immediately to another cooked dish
Method 3 of 4: Fixing Kwetiau Soaked Too Long
Step 1. Leave the kwetiau for a while
If the noodles have been soaking for too long but are not mushy or flaky, you can dry them as much as possible by allowing them to air dry. The kwetiau will not return to a completely dry state, but it will be partially dry.
- Dry the kwetiau. The easiest way to do this is to pour the contents out of a bowl and strain it through a sieve
- Pour the kwetiau flat. Place them in a single layer on a large plate or large wooden plate. Allow to dry for at least 30 minutes in an air-free area.
Step 2. Put the kwetiau in the microwave for a few seconds
Place the over-soaked kwetiau in a microwave dish and heat for 5 to 10 seconds.
- Dry the kwetiau by straining it through a sieve.
- Place the noodles in the microwave and heat on high for 5 to 10 seconds. The resulting kwetiau will be chewy
Method 4 of 4: Serving Suggestions
Step 1. Serve in stir-fry dishes
Thin and cooked kwetiau can be a great choice to combine with standard rice for Asian stir-fry dishes.
- Kwetiau is the main key of Pad Thai, this special type of stir fry generally consists of egg, fish sauce, red chili, pepper, tamarind water, and other proteins as well as other vegetables.
- If adding the kwetiau to the stir fry, add only the last few minutes and also briefly cook the kwetiau first.
- If you choose to pour the stir-fry ingredients over the kwetiau after you're done cooking, use fully cooked kwetiau.
- If using fresh kwetiau instead of dry kwetiau, put the kwetiau directly into the stir fry in the last few minutes without soaking or cooking it first.
Step 2. Add to soup
Kwetiau works well in Asian soups as well as other types of soups.
- The best way to add kwetiau to soup is to add raw kwetiau to the broth during the last few minutes of cooking. Watch carefully to make sure the kwetiau is not overcooked.
- You can also add undercooked kwetiau to the broth, but you should add it after the soup has been removed and as soon as possible before serving. The broth while hot can cook the kwetiau even without direct fire.
Step 3. Use kwetiau in cold dishes
Use fully cooked kwetiau in dishes that do not require any additional cooking.
Asian vegetable salads, cold bean dishes, and cold soups are good examples
Tips
To cook kwetiau, soak in boiling water for 8 minutes. Pour into a colander and cool in cold water. Spread it on a plate and use as much as needed. If desired, drizzle with sesame oil and air dry for 30 minutes before serving. If you want to serve it warm, heat it in the microwave for a few seconds
Materials You Need
- Large heat resistant bowl
- Teapot (for boiling water)
- Filter
- Fork or tongs
Source
- https://www.foodsubs.com/NoodlesRice.html
- https://www.thaitable.com/thai/ingredient/thai-rice-noodles
- https://www.thekitchn.com/cooking-basics-how-to-cook-ric-129104
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https://www.canadianliving.com/how_to_cook/how_to_cook_rice_noodles.php
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