![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Ok. I never thought that the day would come when I would sing the praises of a rice noodle. Let alone consider it a valid, gluten-free alternative to pasta. But I've come to understand and love the little blighters.
In olden times (that is until about 4 months ago) I thought I couldn't live without pasta; then I tried - and discovered how much better I felt. My body certainly is a happier creature on rice noodles.
But pasta is a fantastic vehicle for carrying flavours, and rice noodles, truth to tell, are not. Still rice noodles have the edge in that you can get them from packet to table, sauced, within about 15 minutes flat.
There's no need to bring huge vats of water to the boil, salt humungously and then drain off a veritable sea of potentially lethal, scalding water. (Never a good idea with small children and furry companions in the kitchen.) All you have to do is boil a kettle full of water, throw the noodles into a bowl, pour the contents of the kettle over and leave to sit for a few minutes while you prepare the sauce.
(Oops! That's my English heritage revealed. If you live without the joy of a kettle for boiling the water for your daily 'fix' of tea, then you'll have to bring a couple of litres of water to the boil as you normally do and then proceed as above.)
Now the sauce is, of course, the interesting part. The trick is to build up layers of flavour and then cook the noodles in the sauce for a couple of minutes, so that the noodles really absorb the sauce. But this takes chutzpah (aka barefaced cheek) and flies in the face of received wisdom about what you do, when and how.
So be it, I say. The end result is delicious. It's filling, but light enough on the digestion for a picky maiden aunt.
Leftovers, if you have any, are great at room temperature. And it showcases lots of great Italian flavours in a slightly unconventional way.
Oh, and if you ever need to, you could probably keep a self-respecting vampire away with this one. But, hey, everyone's got to live and garlic's health giving properties are not to be sneered at.
("Gloriously Gluten Free", the cookbook, boasts a number of more conventional conventional recipes for corn pasta and polenta.)
Rice noodles with tomatoes and tuna
Makes 6 appetizer portions, 3-4 main course servings
1 x 250 g/ 8 oz packet medium rice noodles
4 tbs extra virgin olive oil
3 or 4 plump garlic cloves (crushed, peeled, green germ removed and minced )
1 good pinch, or as much as 1/4 tsp, dried chilli flakes
6 anchovy fillets in olive oil (drained and finely chopped)
4 tbs tomato paste/puree
125ml/ 4 fl oz/ 1/2 cup dry white wine (good enough to drink)
250g/ 8 oz cherry, or mini plum tomatoes cut into quarters
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
200g/ 7 oz can tuna in olive oil (drained)
3-4 tbs diced black olives (stones removed)
Method
Place the rice noodles in a bowl and, as directed above, pour approximately 2 litres of boiling water over. (If it's slightly less or slightly more, it really doesn't matter, provided the noodles are fully covered. Give them a quick stir around with a wooden spoon, so you don't get the odd gummy clump that has not absorbed the water evenly.)
Now ignore the noodles for a few minutes while you deal with the other ingredients. Place the garlic and chilli flakes with the olive oil in a medium-large frying pan over medium-high heat. ( Adjust the heat, as necessary, to prevent burning.)
As soon as the mixture becomes fragrant and the garlic starts to turn golden, add the anchovies and stir well.
Now add the tomato paste/puree and stir furiously, to dissolve it.
Add the wine and leave to bubble away for a couple of minutes while you drain the noodles and hack them into smaller lengths with a pair of kitchen scissors. (Sure, you're not meant to do this for Oriental dishes; it's meant to bring bad luck, but it makes eating them easier, andit will protect your shirt.) Add the sliced tomatoes, turn the heat up to high and give them a minute to soften. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bearing in mind that rice noodles are naturally flavour vampires, this is no time to go light on the salt.
Break the tuna into flakes as you add it to the pan and stir. Quickly add the noodles and toss for a minute or two until all the noodles are well coated.
Finally add the chopped olives, stir again, transfer to a serving dish and serve hot, warm or at room temperature.
Buon appetito.
(C) 2005 Annie Kaszina
Annie Kaszina, Coach, writer and 'foodie'is not a Celiac, but has foresworn wheat in the interest of 'caring for a delicate digestion'. She works with Celiac Gina Gardiner to provide great information and recipes to restore the confidence and zest for eating of Celiacs who have had their easy enjoyment of food taken away from them by their disease.
Annie's e-cookbook "Gloriously Gluten Free" and Gina's handbook for Celiacs "Live Well - Eat Well With Celiac Disease" are available through their website: http://www.celiacliving.com.
A time honored Southern tradition, the infamous "Cat Head" biscuit... Read More
When it comes to prime rib and there are two... Read More
Here it is - that time of year when everyone's... Read More
First of all start with an empty stomach. This has... Read More
You will find that this recipe is very easy to... Read More
My mother was the daughter of Norwegian immigrants who homesteaded... Read More
Crockpots vary but the low setting is typically around 100... Read More
My ex reminded me last week that the holiday that... Read More
Swordfish belongs to the group of fish that have recently... Read More
Before you set off on your next family walk or... Read More
As I walked through the grocery store aisles a few... Read More
Spain is famous for its tapas and, whichever Spanish bar... Read More
Ingredients1½ cups quick-cooking rice 2 large onions, thinly sliced 250g... Read More
Summer is nearing and it is time to start thinking... Read More
Whoever writes all those fancy cookbooks has never been a... Read More
Twenty-three chefs who cooked for world royalty and heads of... Read More
The Memphis Style pork rib is one of the most... Read More
Lean protein is your diet is essential to weight loss... Read More
Want to impress your family and friends at the next... Read More
Sharp and sour but sweet and succulent all at the... Read More
Cheesecake is one of the most popular desserts around today.... Read More
Family bean curd is Sichuan's famous characteristic dish. Its main... Read More
Ingredients:4 pcs Big Red Chili (omit the seeds) 100 cc... Read More
I have always loved mac-n-cheese, and this variation is one... Read More
In all fairness to my mother and the great homemaker... Read More
Oh, for the lazy days of Summer.... As If!Nowadays we... Read More
EASY No-Roll Pie Crust3 cups flour1 teaspoon salt2 teaspoons sugar2/3... Read More
An Individual Health Recipe to EnjoyToo many people start their... Read More
Making your own pasta is not difficult. It's actually very... Read More
If you are seeking a very unique flavored bbq sauce... Read More
In my 'un-biased' opinion, the crockpot / slow cooker is... Read More
Swordfish belongs to the group of fish that have recently... Read More
When I lived in the North End of Boston, in... Read More
Lean protein is your diet is essential to weight loss... Read More
Come August, there is nowhere I'd rather NOT be than... Read More
Yoruba ethnic group from the Southwestern part of Nigeria call... Read More
Prep Time: 5 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes Ready In:... Read More
As puberty crept up and I became a passive passenger... Read More
Whilst on your travels in Spain and pausing to take... Read More
Just because you are watching your weight, doesn't mean the... Read More
This chili recipe is, indeed, a really nightmare! Taste it... Read More
Pre-packaged store-bought box mixes are expensive. Have you considered homemade... Read More
Trying to find a dynamite recipe to wow guests or... Read More
Looking for a great Italian meatball recipe? Wrap your lips... Read More
Green vegetables are the food most missing in modern diets.... Read More
Remember the days when cookbooks weren't so readily available, and... Read More
Many people are beginning diets that encourage low carb recipes... Read More
You can trust me that I make sure to take... Read More
It seems that school starts earlier every year. So it's... Read More
Ok. I never thought that the day would come when... Read More
Recipes & Food and Drink Recipes & Food and Drink |