Tofu Shirataki Noodles

Hi all,

I finally found Tofu Shirataki Noodles at a market fairly near to
where I work. If the label is to be believed then the whole package,
an eight ounce serving, is 40 calories. I've never been a huge fan of
pasta, but it should be a nice change of pace and I look forward to
using them. I bought two packages each of the spaghetti and fettucini
shapes.

A couple of basic questions. The exp date was May 28, suggesting
that these things as packaged last about two months. Anyone know if
this might be true? Also, does anyone have any suggestions for using
these things? I'm going to use some as a landing spot for spaghetti
sauce later this week, but I'm open to trying more adventurous things
as well. Recipes or links to the same would be appreciated!

--
Annie

As of 04-05-07: 258/181.5/140 Standing at 5 foot 4.

76.5 pounds lost. 41.5 left to go. Started February/07/05

Come visit my weight-loss web site, Annie Takes Off.
http://webpages.charter.net/lenny13/DietFrontPage.html

"Annie Benson-Lennaman" <abenlen@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1176117885.906715.167170@l77g2000hsb.googlegr oups.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I finally found Tofu Shirataki Noodles at a market fairly near to
> where I work. If the label is to be believed then the whole package,
> an eight ounce serving, is 40 calories. I've never been a huge fan of
> pasta, but it should be a nice change of pace and I look forward to
> using them. I bought two packages each of the spaghetti and fettucini
> shapes.
>
> A couple of basic questions. The exp date was May 28, suggesting
> that these things as packaged last about two months. Anyone know if
> this might be true? Also, does anyone have any suggestions for using
> these things? I'm going to use some as a landing spot for spaghetti
> sauce later this week, but I'm open to trying more adventurous things
> as well. Recipes or links to the same would be appreciated!
>

Visit the Hungry Girl site for recipes http://www.hungry-girl.com/

I find they're more palatable with sauce when I let them dry out a bit after
rinsing. I've been using them for quite some time. My favorite thing to do
with them is chop them up and add them to my veggie soup that I make.
--
the volleyballchick

On Apr 9, 4:24 am, "Annie Benson-Lennaman" <aben...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I finally found Tofu Shirataki Noodles at a market fairly near to
> where I work. If the label is to be believed then the whole package,
> an eight ounce serving, is 40 calories.

Shirataki noodles formed out jelly made from konnyaku root (a type of
yam) have zero calories. I buy them from time to time at a Japanese
grocey store, along with some frozen edamame, natto, and other things.

> I'm going to use some as a landing spot for spaghetti
> sauce later this week, but I'm open to trying more adventurous things
> as well.

They are used in hot pot cooking (nabemono).

I simply have them from time to time with the usual fare of vegetables
and lean meat. It seems like a good way to pick up some fibre, and add
bulk to your eating to feel more full.

Since I will be dropping my running volume slightly to taper for a 10K
event, and consequently dropping a few calories, I might find myself
eating these noodles to feel full, since I'm used to stuffing myself
with carbs everyday until it hurts!

Here is a tip: since the noodles are packed in a solution calcium
hydroxide, which is a base, a good way to neutralize that is a bit of
vinegar. I rinse them thoroughly, drop them into a pot of hot water on
the stove (not quite boiling), and add a splash of vinegar. I leave
them in there for a minute then drain. The vinegar knocks out any
remaining lye odor.

To give the noodles a bit of flavor, I sometimes add a teaspoon of
hoisin sauce over them and mix. That puts back a couple of calories,
of course, but who cares.

I think they are versatile stuff; you can use them in place of wheat
noodles just about everywhere: chicken noodle soup, etc.

I somehow can't see them being covered in alfredo sauce, though.

"Annie Benson-Lennaman" <aben...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> I finally found Tofu Shirataki Noodles at a market fairly near to
> where I work. If the label is to be believed then the whole package,
> an eight ounce serving, is 40 calories.

Even better news for those that care - They are wheat-free,
gluten-free, grain-free since they are made from a vegetable
translated as "yam". And nearly all of those 40 calories are
from soluble fiber so folks who deduct fiber from there carb
count end up getting them as nearly carb-free.

> I've never been a huge fan of
> pasta, but it should be a nice change of pace and I look forward to
> using them. I bought two packages each of the spaghetti and fettucini
> shapes.
>
> A couple of basic questions. The exp date was May 28, suggesting
> that these things as packaged last about two months. Anyone know if
> this might be true?

They come packed in liquid in a clear plastic sack so I can't
imagine they are good past their shelf date. I've tried storing
them in the fridge and the bag tends to get cut if I keep it in
their long enough so the shelf-life issue basically handles
itself in my experience.

> Also, does anyone have any suggestions for using
> these things? I'm going to use some as a landing spot for spaghetti
> sauce later this week, but I'm open to trying more adventurous things
> as well. Recipes or links to the same would be appreciated!

They are soft as if they are pre-cooked pasta. That means they
don't take well to pan frying methods unless you are super
careful.

I have put them into soups and stews, served them topped with
various low carb sauces.

They are good with spaghetti sauce, if you can wash out the fishy or seaweed
pre-seasoning.

Shirataki Noodles tend to absorb the flavor around them. I tried preparing
them in spaghetti sauce a few days ahead of time, and let them marinate in
the refrigerator.

My initial attempts to cook them just seemed to damage them. I found that
they were just fine raw, after much rinsing in a colander.

"Annie Benson-Lennaman" <abenlen@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1176117885.906715.167170@l77g2000hsb.googlegr oups.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I finally found Tofu Shirataki Noodles at a market fairly near to
> where I work. If the label is to be believed then the whole package,
> an eight ounce serving, is 40 calories. I've never been a huge fan of
> pasta, but it should be a nice change of pace and I look forward to
> using them. I bought two packages each of the spaghetti and fettucini
> shapes.
>
> A couple of basic questions. The exp date was May 28, suggesting
> that these things as packaged last about two months. Anyone know if
> this might be true? Also, does anyone have any suggestions for using
> these things? I'm going to use some as a landing spot for spaghetti
> sauce later this week, but I'm open to trying more adventurous things
> as well. Recipes or links to the same would be appreciated!
>
> --
> Annie
>
> As of 04-05-07: 258/181.5/140 Standing at 5 foot 4.
>
> 76.5 pounds lost. 41.5 left to go. Started February/07/05
>
> Come visit my weight-loss web site, Annie Takes Off.
> http://webpages.charter.net/lenny13/DietFrontPage.html
>