Potato noodles: A fusion twist on classic Italian dishes
Pasta made from boiled potatoes, known as noodles, is extremely popular in Asian countries. However, it tastes great not only with spicy-sweet sauces based on sesame oil and soy sauce. You can also serve it with Italian tomato sauces. This is an unconventional combination, but my family likes it more than spaghetti.
Asian-style noodle sauce
Below you'll find a recipe for noodles with Bolognese sauce. However, if you're in the mood for an Asian-style dinner, simply mix a few oriental ingredients in a pan. First, gently sauté the garlic with two tablespoons of vegetable oil. Remove the pan from the heat, add sliced green onion stems, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of Chinese black vinegar, a teaspoon of sugar, and a tablespoon of chili flakes. Mix this sauce with the potato noodles.
How to make potato noodles?
To prepare dinner for two, you'll need 1.1 lbs of boiled and mashed potatoes. The best are type C potatoes with a high starch content and creamy, crumbly flesh.
Ingredients:
- 1.1 lbs 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. You can use potatoes from yesterday's dinner. Mash them with a masher until smooth.
- Knead with a small amount of warm water and potato starch. Gradually add water and starch until you achieve a smooth dough that 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. Scoop them out 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. In season, use fresh, blanched tomatoes without skins. Out of season, add homemade puree, passata, or canned tomatoes. Add the ground pork and beef to the aromatic garlic. Sauté until there's 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 pasta with Bolognese sauce with grated Parmesan, fresh basil, or parsley.
