Shirataki Noodles

Shirataki (shee-rah-TAH-kee) noodles are thin, low carb, chewy, and translucent traditional Japanese noodles. They are also sometimes called konnyaku noodles. Shirataki noodles are thinner than wheat noodles, do not break as easily, and have a different texture. They are mostly composed of a dietary fiber called glucomannan and contain very few calories and carbohydrates (sometimes even zero). They do not have much flavor by themselves, but absorb flavors well from other ingredients. Shirataki noodles are made from Konjac flour, which comes from the roots of the yam-like Konjac plant grown in Japan and China.

Shirataki noodles are packaged "wet", that is, you purchase them pre-packaged in liquid, and they are ready-to-eat out of the package. You can prepare them by rinsing the noodles first, then boiling them briefly or running them under hot water, then combining them with other dishes, or adding things like tofu, garlic, spinach, or soy sauce to enhance the flavor.

To sum up, it tastes like Tung Hoon and can be added into soups. It is a remedy for weight watchers who cannot stop eating!

* Can be found in Sakuraya Fish Market and NTUC Finest.

Prawn noodle soup (Serves 3)

Pork ribs 250gm

1 small crab ~ 400gm

Prawns 250gm

1 handful of ikan bilis

1 handful of soy beans

2 cloves of garlic

1 slice of ginger

1 litre of water

1 teaspoon of pepper

1 star aniseed

salt and soy sauce to taste

Scald pork ribs and prawns with hot water and add to boiling water with all the ingredients. Once the prawns are cooked, remove and peel. Fry the shells with some garlic and scallions until crispy and golden. Add the fried shells back to the soup and brew for 1hr. Add noodles and vegetables and serve with fried scallions and prawns.

Hokkien Seafood soup (Serves 3)

2 chicken bone

Clams 1kg

1 small crab ~ 400gm

1 small sweet potatoes

1 dozen meatballs

1 handful of ikan bilis

1 handful of soy beans

1 tablespoon of Hua Tiao Wine

2 cloves of garlic

1 slice of ginger

1 teaspoon of pepper

Salt and soy sauce to taste

Boil the chicken bone, crab, ikan bilis, soy beans, garlic, ginger and clams. Remove clams when cooked. Brew for 1hr and add meatballs, sweet potatoes, vegetables and all seasoning. Once cooked, add noodles and serve with clams and fried scallions.