Somen Cold Noodles For Two Recipes

COLD THIN NOODLES IN CHILLED WATER (HIYASHI SōMEN)

Steps:

• Add all the Dipping Sauce ingredients to a small saucepan and bring it to a boil.
• Remove from the heat and cool it down quickly by leaving the pan in the cold water for a while, then place it in the fridge to chill.
• Boil water in a large saucepan. Remove the tape around each bunch of sōmen noodles and place the noodles in the boiling water by spreading the strands.
• Using chopsticks or a thin wooden spatula, stir the pot so that noodles are separated.
• Boil for about 2 minutes (note 3). Drain using a sieve and rinse well.
• Place noodles in a serving bowl, add chilled water (or water + ice cubes), just enough to cover the noodles.
• Using chopsticks or tongs with soft edges, take a small number of noodles at a time and gently lay them in the same direction so that the noodles line up nicely (optional).
• Decorate the noodle bowl with leaves or cucumber slices, if using. Serve with dipping sauce and condiments.

JAPANESE COLD SOMEN NOODLES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Prepare the toppings and place in separate serving bowls. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of unsalted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, add the mirin to a medium saucepan over low heat and cook until just heated through, about 30 seconds.
• Raise the heat to high, add the soy sauce and dashi soup stock . Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat and cool completely, at least 20 minutes. Refrigerate if not using right away.
• Meanwhile, make the somen noodles. Add the dried somen noodles to the large pot of boiling water, gently stirring until the noodles are al dente, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
• Drain the somen in a colander and cool under running water or in an ice bath.
• Continue to wash the noodles, tossing with your hands until completely cold. Drain well.
• Serve the drained cold somen in a large serving bowl or divided between individual bowls with the dipping sauces in individual small bowls and toppings on the side.

JAPANESE COLD NOODLES

Steps:

• Make dipping sauce:
• Heat all dipping sauce ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Cool sauce, then chill, covered, until cold, about 1 hour.
• Cook somen:
• Bring 2 1/2 quarts water to a rolling boil in a 4-quart saucepan over moderately high heat. Add noodles and 1 cup more water. When water returns to a boil, add 1 cup cold water and bring back to a boil. Simmer noodles until just tender and slightly translucent, about 2 minutes. Test noodles for doneness by dipping 1 strand in cold water and sampling. If noodles are not tender, add 1 cup more water and return water to a boil. Drain noodles in a colander and rinse well under cold water.
• To serve somen:
• Divide noodles among 6 bowls filled with ice and cold water. Divide dipping sauce among 6 small bowls and serve with accompaniments for flavoring it, then dip each mouthful of noodles in sauce.

SOMEN (COLD NOODLES) FOR TWO

Steps:

• Combine sesame oil, soy sauce, red peppers, tsuyu, and lime juice.
• Mix well and refrigerate.
• Chop and plate dipping items on a platter.
• Steam shrimp.
• Prepare somen according to directions (takes about 3 minutes once water is boiling).
• Rinse under cold water in a strainer.
• Place in a large bowl of ice.
• Serve with platter and dipping sauce.
• To eat, simply place a small quantity (about 1/5 cup) sauce in a small bowl or medium size glass and add the noodles and other ingredients.
• ***Reserve some of the dipping sauce for occasionally refreshing the dipping vessel fluid, which becomes slightly diluted from the noodle liquid.

HOMEMADE NOODLES FOR TWO

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine 2/3 cup flour and salt. Make a well in the center. Beat egg and cold water; pour into well. Stir together, forming a ball. , Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead for 8 minutes, adding remaining flour if necessary to keep dough from sticking to surface or hands. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. , On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 12x8-in. rectangle. Dust top of dough with flour to prevent sticking while rolling. Trim the edges. Dust both sides of dough with flour. Roll up jelly-roll style; cut into 1/4-in. slices. Separate and unroll the noodles; let rest on a clean towel for 1 hour. , In a large saucepan, bring water to a rapid boil. Add oil and noodles; cook for 7-9 minutes or until tender. Drain and serve immediately. ,

CHILLED SOMEN NOODLES (HIYASHI SOMEN)

Steps:

• Make dipping sauce by combining the dashi (or dashi granules and 1 cup water), mirin, and soy sauce in a medium saucepan. Bring just to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Force-cool the sauce by pouring into a medium-size metal mixing bowl, placing into a large bowl of ice cubes and water, and twirling, taking care not to spill, until cooled. (Note: this is an important step; it won't taste right if you just let it cool slowly!)When cooled, refrigerate until ready to use.
• Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain, rinse well under cold water, drain again, and place in a bowl of cold water.
• To serve, place a mound of noodles into individual glass bowls, tuck in a few ice cubes and pour in a small amount of water (not enough to cover; just to dampen). Sprinkle with cilantro leaves to taste.
• On little individual plates, place a small mound of sliced green onion and a dab of wasabi. Pour some dipping sauce into small individual bowls.
• Each person can season his or her sauce to taste with the onions and wasabi, then pick up a bunch of noodles (chopsticks really work the best, but you can use a fork, too), allow water to drip back into bowl, dip into sauce, and eat.
• For a somewhat heartier meal, add some of the suggested additions (in the description above) along with the cilantro leaves when serving. I like to serve this with a simple salad of tomato wedges, sliced cucumber, and either lettuce or Napa cabbage with a Japanese-style dressing.