Homemade Nama Fresh Udon Noodles Food

MAKE-IT-YOUR-OWN UDON NOODLE SOUP

Steps:

• Prepare noodles according to package directions, and drain. Toss with a teaspoon of sesame, olive, vegetable or canola oil to prevent them from sticking together, and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil until it shimmers, and sauté the grated ginger and garlic until you smell it (less than a minute). Do your best not to burn it. Add 2 cups of stock to the pot. Be careful - it might splatter.
• Bring the stock to a boil, and lower the heat to a simmer (about medium-low). Add carrots (or any hard, root vegetables, if using), and cook until they are crisp-tender, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add tofu or any vegetables (except spinach), and cook until tender but still bright in color, about 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off heat, and cover to keep warm.
• In a small pot, heat the remaining 1 cup of stock until it steams. Remove from the heat, and whisk in the miso paste until the miso is completely dissolved, then pour the entire miso mixture into the pot with the soup. (If using soy sauce instead of miso, skip this part and add the rest of the stock and soy sauce.) Stir in the cooked noodles and fresh spinach, if using, and heat through over medium-low, if necessary. Do not bring the soup to a boil with the miso: Some cooks believe this can ruin the miso's delicate flavor. Top as desired and season additionally, if desired, with soy sauce.

HOMEMADE NAMA (FRESH) UDON NOODLES

Steps:

• Combine bread flour, all-purpose flour, and salt together in a large bowl. Mix in water slowly until dough comes together into a rough ball.
• Turn dough out onto a work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 15 minutes. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate, at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Remove dough from the refrigerator and cut in half. Dust the dough, rolling pin, and your work surface with bread flour. Roll one piece of dough into a rectangle about 1/16-inch thick. Fold rectangle into thirds like a letter. Cut dough crosswise into thin strips. Repeat with second piece of dough.