Shirataki noodles are Asian noodles made from the root of the konjac plant. The thin, translucent noodles can be purchased in wet or dry form. This type of noodles has become popular because they contain no gluten, have zero net carbs and no calories. Tofu is added to some forms of shirataki noodles for additional nutrition.
Benefits of Shirataki Noodles
People on low-carb diets find that shirataki noodles lend a comfort food factor to many dishes. The noodles can be used in recipes that call for pasta, without the additional carbohydrates of regular pasta. Those with wheat allergies can safely add shirataki noodles to their diets without allergic reactions.
Finding Shirataki Noodles
The first place to look is at your local grocery store. Tofu-enhanced noodles are becoming a mainstream item in the produce section of most stores. Most health food stores carry shirataki noodles in their traditional form as well as the tofu-enhanced variety. If your city has an Asian grocery store, they are sure to carry the noodles in a variety of forms, including both wet and dry.
Online Sources
Online retailer's such as Amazon offer a variety of shirataki noodles in various-sized packages. Some companies, such as Konjac, offer the noodles pre-cut to resemble other types of noodles, such as rigatoni, lasagna, linguine and spaghetti.
Storing Shirataki Noodles
The wet form of the traditional noodles can be kept in the refrigerator for up to one year. Wet forms with added tofu will only keep in the refrigerator for several weeks. The dry form can be stored on a pantry shelf indefinitely.
Preparing Shirataki Noodles
Shirataki noodles packaged wet are fully cooked and need only to be rinsed before adding to your stir-fry or other dish. Rinsing is important because the liquid in the package often has an unpleasant odor that can be removed by running the noodles under hot, flowing water. Boil dry noodles for two to three minutes before using them in other dishes.
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