Cooking Chinese red noodle beans, also known as red bean noodle soup, is a delightful culinary experience that combines the comfort of a hearty soup with the rich, creamy texture of red beans. This dish is popular not only in China but also in Korean cuisine, where it is known as pat-kalguksu. Here, we’ll break down the process step-by-step, ensuring that even novice cooks can achieve a delicious result.
Ingredients Preparation
Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s list and prepare all the necessary ingredients. This will make the cooking smoother and ensure you have everything you need.
- Red Beans (Azuki Beans): 1 cup
- All-purpose Flour: 2¼ cups plus an additional ¼ cup for dusting
- Potato Starch (or more All-purpose Flour): ¼ cup
- Kosher Salt: 2½ teaspoons
- Vegetable Oil: 1 tablespoon
- Water: ¾ cup (plus 3 quarts for cooking the beans)
- Sugar (optional): As desired
- Additionally, for the noodle soup:
- Noodles: 100g (you can use store-bought or homemade noodles)
- Seasoning: Salt, pepper, and any other spices you prefer
- Garnishes: Spring onions, ginger, and other vegetables like carrots or prawns for added flavor and texture
Cooking the Red Beans
Picking and Washing:
- Begin by putting the red beans in a mesh strainer.
- Pick out any broken or discolored beans.
- Wash the beans thoroughly under cold running water.
- Strain and place them into a large pot.
Boiling the Beans:
- Add 3 quarts (12 cups) of water to the pot with the beans.
- Cover the pot and cook over medium-high heat for 30 minutes. If the beans start to boil over, slightly crack the lid to prevent spillage.
Simmering:
- After 30 minutes, reduce the heat to low and let the beans simmer for 1½ hours, or until they are very tender.
- You will end up with about 10 cups of beans and water.
Blending:
- Once the beans are tender, remove the pot from heat.
- Strain the beans through a mesh strainer over a large bowl, reserving the bean water.
- Put the strained beans into a blender and add about 3 cups of the bean water.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the blended beans back into the pot and add the remaining bean water.
- Stir with a wooden spoon and set aside.
Making the Noodles
Preparing the Dough:
- If using a food processor, put the dough blade in and add 2¼ cups of flour, potato starch, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, and the vegetable oil.
- Run the processor on the dough speed and add the water gradually, about 1 to 2 minutes, until the dough forms a single lump.
- Alternatively, you can mix all the ingredients by hand in a large bowl until the dough sticks together, then knead for about 7 to 10 minutes until smooth.
Kneading and Resting:
- Transfer the dough to a large cutting board and knead for 1 minute.
- Place the dough in a plastic bag to rest for a while. This helps to relax the gluten and makes rolling out the noodles easier.
Rolling and Cutting:
- Dust the cutting board and dough lightly with the remaining ¼ cup of flour to prevent sticking.
- Roll out the dough into a thin sheet.
- Use a knife or a pasta cutter to cut the dough into thin noodles.
- If you prefer thicker noodles, adjust the thickness of the dough sheet accordingly.
Cooking the Noodle Soup
Boiling Water:
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.
Cooking the Noodles:
- Add the homemade or store-bought noodles to the boiling water.
- Cook for about 3-5 minutes, or until the noodles are al dente.
Adding the Beans:
- Once the noodles are cooked, ladle some of the red bean puree into the pot.
- Stir well to combine the noodles with the bean puree.
Seasoning and Garnishing:
- Add seasoning such as salt and pepper to taste.
- You can also add other ingredients like an egg, carrots, prawns, or any vegetables you prefer.
- Garnish with spring onions, a piece of ginger, and any other herbs or spices you like.
Serving
- Serve the red bean noodle soup in large bowls.
- Make sure to ladle enough bean puree and noodles into each bowl.
- Enjoy your hearty, creamy, and nutty red bean noodle soup!
Conclusion
Cooking Chinese red noodle beans, whether as a traditional Chinese dish or the Korean pat-kalguksu, is a rewarding culinary endeavor. By following the steps outlined above, you can create a delicious, hearty soup that is perfect for a comforting meal. The rich, creamy texture of the red beans combined with the soft noodles makes for a satisfying and nutritious dish. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or friends, this recipe is sure to impress and delight everyone. So, why not give it a try and enjoy the warmth and comfort of a homemade red bean noodle soup?
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