Description
Chinese cellophane noodle bowls bring silky glass noodles dancing with savory, umami-rich proteins and crisp vegetables. Delicate threads intertwine with marinated chicken or shrimp, creating a balanced symphony of textures that transport you straight to bustling Asian street markets.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles:
- 1 bundle mung bean noodles (80 grams / 2.8 ounces)
- ⅓ cup dried butterfly pea flowers
Tofu and Sauce:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) extra firm tofu, well-drained and cubed
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- 1 Thai chili, thinly sliced
Garnish and Additional Ingredients:
- ¼ cup water
- 2 radishes, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, shaved
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Fried shallots
- Chopped peanuts
- Vegetable oil, for sautéing
Instructions
- Select butterfly pea flowers and cellophane noodles, preparing to transform them into a vibrant culinary canvas.
- Create an azure liquid bath by simmering water with butterfly pea flowers, allowing the water to absorb a deep cobalt hue.
- Submerge cellophane noodles in the blue-tinted water, letting them steep and absorb the mesmerizing color for several minutes.
- Gently boil the noodles until they become translucent and tender, then carefully drain and set aside.
- Craft a harmonious sauce by whisking together lime juice, water, sugar, minced garlic, chopped chili, and pungent fish sauce until well integrated.
- Marinate tofu cubes in a mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and fragrant sesame oil to enhance its flavor profile.
- Sear tofu in hot vegetable oil, creating a golden-brown exterior while maintaining a delicate interior.
- Pour the prepared marinade over the tofu, allowing it to simmer and caramelize into a glossy, rich coating.
- Artfully arrange the blue-tinted noodles in serving bowls, watching as they magically transform to soft pink hues when sauce is drizzled.
- Elegantly layer sautéed tofu atop the noodles, then garnish with thinly sliced radishes, delicate carrot shavings, fresh cilantro, crispy fried shallots, and crunchy chopped peanuts.
Notes
- Dive into a culinary adventure with these magical cellophane noodles that transform colors like a vibrant kitchen science experiment.
- Blue butterfly pea flowers create an enchanting color shift when mixed with acidic ingredients, turning the noodles from deep cobalt to soft pink.
- Layering complex flavors through carefully balanced sauces and toppings elevates this simple dish from ordinary to extraordinary.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 372
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 435 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg