How to Prepare Shirataki Noodles

Shirataki noodles are made from the Asian plant, Konjac, which is dried and converted into flour. Shirataki noodles are not new but because they have a low content of carbohydrates and very less calories, they have become the hot craze for people who want to loose weight or are following a lower carbohydrate diet. Though they do encourage swelling up due to high content of fiber, they are amazing addition to the diet routine of all. A normal complaint from people is that they taste bland. You can improve its taste by making a small effort.  

To make the noodles, take a tablespoon of glucomannan powder and mix it in 2 cups of water, stir constantly and let it come to a boil. Let the mixture boil for 3 minutes.

Make lime water by taking ¼ teaspoon of pickling lime and mix 5 tablespoons of water, then add this to the boiling flour mixture, put it off the flame and stir for 5 minutes. Lime water will make the gel texture of your glucomannan flour.

Let the mixture cool down, then take gel mixture out and cut it into small pieces with the help of knife or you can do it with the help of pasta machine. Steam the noodles/pasta for about 3 to 5 minutes and voila! The noodles are prepared. You can cook the noodles right away or store it for later use in a pot of water. 

When you are ready to use the noodles, strain and wash thoroughly as you will notice that they contain a “fishy” smell because of water. 

Make a soup; you can prepare it of your choice. Boil water and add bullion cut into cubes, dice or cube vegetables, you can add cooked chicken or meat. Add the noodles in soup and simmer for half an hour. So the noodles will be able to absorb the zest of the soup.    

Another way to make shirataki noodles is to make a cold salad, a very Asian affair. Mix shredded vegetables like zucchini, carrots, cucumbers and mix dressing and seasoning of your choice.

You can make pasta out of these noodles. Mix these noodles with pasta sauce, add spices, herbs, cheese, vegetables and chicken or meat or just about anything you like. Mix all these and cook it for 5 minutes in the microwave and it would be ready.

In the end you can prepare lasagna with shirataki noodles. Put a layer of shirataki noodles, add a layer of tomato sauce, and then add a layer of stir fried vegetables or cooked meat, do this two times and top with a layer of mozzarella cheese. Bake as you bake lasagna.