Noodle Soup with Peanut Sauce is my homemade version of Ichiban-style noodles. No styrofoam cup, no additives and preservatives; just plain rice noodles with a tasty, peanut flavoured broth.
For years we've known how unhealthy instant noodle soups are yet the convenience of these just-add-water and serve-in-the-cup soups are irresistible to many. (I too have eaten my share and served them to children I love.) This homemade recipe is a guide and I encourage you to challenge yourself to create your version.
Noodle Soup Your Way
In my ‘World of Rice Noodles’ cooking class we sometimes make this soup. The original recipe was called Dan Dan Mein noodles, Chinese street vendor’s noodles from Sichuan province. Traditionally Chinese street noodles are topped with dried shrimp and canned preserved vegetables that add a pungent, crunchy taste. I've used both of these ingredients but over time my recipe evolved to be a quick noodle soup with the ingredients I had on hand.
I list Chinese black bean sauce as an ingredient because I do always have it on hand. It's in my fridge and I make this homemade Chinese black bean sauce once or twice a year. The recipe is posted separately but to be complete I have also included it here. I think it's worth it, but if you're not ready to try it yet substitute with additional soy sauce, hoisin sauce or oyster sauce. The taste won't be the same but you may create something you love.
I encourage you to taste and adjust, mess around with it and add other ingredients you like until you have a recipe worth repeating. At the end of this post I've listed more recipes that use black beans and the black bean sauce to entice you to try it.
Storing and Using Rice Vermicelli Noodles
I buy one-pound packages of vermicelli rice noodles at the Asian grocery store. These are the skinny noodles I also use to make Vietnamese salad rolls. They are dry and brittle and are packaged up like a ball of wool so they fly everywhere when you break off the amount of noodles you need. To prevent this mess I unwrap a brand new package of noodles and transfer them right into a huge zippered plastic bag. When I use them I pull off the amount I need right in the bag. Eventually I discard the tiny broken noodles that settle to the bottom of the bag.
Best Method for Rice Noodles
To soften rice noodles the method I prefer is to pour boiling water over them in a bowl and let them sit for five minutes. Many recipes warn against over cooking the noodles and suggest you soak the noodles in hot tap water and let them sit for fifteen minutes. I can’t seem to get the right texture with that method so just find a way that works for you and stick with it.
For more on rice noodles check out this post, How To Use Rice Noodles.
Get The Tools - Organize For Success
You don't need too many tools to make a noodle soup but having the right ones goes a long way to making the process easy. Where you store these items is half the battle and I find that less is more. If things are all stacked up and behind other dishes then that won't be easy. Streamline the process so this is a fast and easy recipe.
Strainers - With a large strainer you can put it in the sink and dump your noodles into it. Some would prefer a smaller strainer with a handle.
Measuring Cups - I like any job where I can measure right into a measuring cup and then keep working with it as the bowl. So I own lots of different sizes of pyrex measuring cups to be able to do that.
I'd love to hear in the comments below if you tried my gluten free noodle soup with peanut sauce and how you made it.
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More Recipes with Black Beans and Black Bean Sauce
Noodle Soup with Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 oz dried rice vermicelli noodles
- ¼ cup frozen peas
PEANUT SAUCE
- ¼ cup boiling water
- 2 tablespoon peanut butter
- 2 tablespoon gluten free soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon Chinese black bean sauce (or more soy sauce)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoon white vinegar
BROTH and ADD INS
- 3 cups gluten free chicken stock or boiling water
- ¼ cup cooked chicken, pork, shrimp or tofu (optional)
TOPPINGS
- 1 green onion, minced
- 2 tablespoon chopped, salted peanuts
- 2 tablespoon chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Put noodles and peas in a large bowl. Pour boiling water on top and soak for 5 minutes. Drain. Divide into 2 soup bowls.
MAKE PEANUT SAUCE
- Combine peanut butter, boiling water, soy sauce, sesame oil, black bean sauce, garlic, sugar and vinegar in a pyrex measuring cup. Microwave 30 seconds, stir until smooth.
- Heat chicken stock to boiling in microwave, 1-2 minutes. Add peanut mixture to stock and pour over noodles.
- Taste for salt, especially if you use water or unsalted stock.
- Add toppings of your choice.
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