Potato noodles: A cross-cultural twist on classic dishes
Pasta made from boiled potatoes, often referred to as noodles, is extremely popular in Asian countries. However, it also pairs wonderfully with Italian tomato sauces, proving a delightful alternative to traditional spaghetti. This unconventional combination is a favourite in my family.
Asian-style noodle sauce
You'll find a recipe for noodles with Bolognese sauce below. However, if you're craving an Asian-style dinner, simply mix a few oriental ingredients in a pan. Start by gently sautéing the garlic with two tablespoons of vegetable oil. Remove the pan from the heat, and add sliced green onion stems, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of Chinese black vinegar, a teaspoon of sugar, and a tablespoon of chilli flakes. Mix this sauce with the potato noodles.
How to make potato noodles?
To prepare dinner for two, you'll need 500 grams of boiled and mashed potatoes. The best option is type C potatoes with high starch content and creamy, crumbly flesh.
Ingredients:
- 500 grams type C potatoes,
- 3 cups of potato starch,
- half a cup of warm water,
- half a teaspoon of salt.
Instructions:
- Peel, wash, and boil the potatoes in salted water – using potatoes from yesterday's dinner works well. Mash them with a masher until you get a smooth consistency.
- Knead with a small amount of warm water and potato starch. Gradually add the water and starch until you achieve a smooth dough you can shape into a ball.
- Break off pieces of dough and roll them into long ropes - slightly thicker than spaghetti.
- Put the ropes into a pot of boiling salted water. Remove them when they float to the surface.
Recipe for Italian-style Bolognese sauce
The base of many Italian sauces is garlic sautéed in olive oil and tomatoes. During tomato season, use fresh, blanched tomatoes without skins. Out of season, use homemade purée, passata, or canned tomatoes. Add ground pork and beef to the aromatic garlic. Sauté until there is no more water. Add the tomatoes, mix everything, and reduce by cooking for about 5-8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, basil, and oregano.
You can sprinkle the pasta with Bolognese sauce with grated Parmesan, fresh basil, or parsley.
