Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Spicy Clam Noodle Soup

あさりのビーフン辛汁

DSC_6896

Canadian Clams are on sale at the Japanese/Asian market….$3.99 per pound, $2 less…hmmm….what can I do with it?…this unexpected surprise  is like a curve ball…I’d love to hit it…it doesn’t have to be a home run but something pleasing….DSC_6904

It is quite hot outside, I must take them home safely, so I asked the clerk to pack the clams in  (free) ice…they are always nice about that (did you get it? I made a rhyme, ice, nice…no more rhymes now, I mean it! Anybody want a peanut?…with my love of The Princess Bride, those lines pop up in  my head in an instant). At the produce aisle, I grabbed an inexpensive a bundle of green onions to start working the game plan.

OK actually, I am remembering  the recipe in an old magazine… I think I have a budget friendly, low-calorie, gluten free… winning chance! I mean recipe.

Ingredients and Instruction for 2-4 people (Print Recipe Here)

  • 1 pound (about) of clams, thoroughly cleaned with a stiff brush under running water. Note: I highly recommend soaking the clams in salted water for at least 1 hours to let them spit out sand. Check here for the method. DSC_6872
  • 1 package of rice noodle
  • Ginger root, about the size of an adult thumb, peeled and thinly julienned.
  • 3 Tablespoons sake
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce or tamari soy sauce
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 4 stalks of green onion, cut 1/2 inch of root end and small round cut
  • La-yu oil – depending on your preference, I used 5 drops.
  1. With plenty of hot water, soak the rice noodle to reconstitute; about 5-7 minutes.DSC_6878
  2. While soaking the noodles, boil 6 cups of water in a large pot. Add sake, ginger and cleaned clams. Reduce heat to low and cook until the clams open-up (discard any that do not open).. Scoop and remove the white scum that floats to the top.
    DSC_6885DSC_6887
  3. Add soy sauce, salt, pepper.
  4. Strain the rice noodle through a colander, shake to remove excess water. Add the noodle to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes. Do the taste test, add more seasoning to adjust if needed. Note: cut noodle in half or thirds with kitchen scissor for easier consumption…I used pre-cut noodle.DSC_6892
  5. Serve noodles in individual bowls, sprinkle sesame oil, la-yu oil then top with green onion . Serve hot or chilled (I like it cold). 

My husband’s colleague makes the best kimchee…it goes well with this dish…고맙습니다 ! (Thank you).DSC_6897

Peaches are in season. I had to make peach cobbler for my Today’s TAPAS post (#todaystapas). I happen to have a mini casserole dish. My husband made amazing kefir ice cream…a little sour, sorbet like texture…so good!…What?…this pic is not focused? (but) You (peach cobbler) are wonderful! Thank you, I’ve worked hard to become so… (again the lines from The Princess Bride). IMG_4649[1]

I taught a pretty 20 year-old piano virtuoso, student at Rice University, French macaron making. In the photo below, Strawberry macarons with dark chocolate ganache filling were délicieux!  IMG_4624[1]

Next lesson, Italian macaron?  Si?

23 comments:

  1. Would be great if you lived next to me and I could eat your food! Your wecipes look easy, but, me, cook? Inconceivable!

    May you have all that you wish, Buttercup!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha ha! You're so funny! Thank you for your comment!

      Delete
  2. So nice to see a post from you! Lovely photos! The food looks wonderful. It is pretty hot here in Montreal as well, but thankfully we are supposed to get some rain and then it is supposed to be cooler, so I am really looking forward to it, as the high heat and humidity really bother me (I have arthritis). Hugs to you. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Linda. Thank you for posting inspiring quotes/message!

      Delete
  3. I always come to your blog to drool. This looks incredible. Honolulu Aunty and I would both like to move next door to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Kay. Ha ha ha, It would be awesome to have you, Jalna and Aunty as neighbors. Love your blog!

      Delete
  4. Me too. Me too! Let's all be neighbors!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Otay, otay! On Nippon Nin's days off, we can have Wendell cook for us too!

      Delete
    2. Thank you jalna. I just had a big laugh reading comments of you and two other fabulous ladies.

      Delete
  5. I always thought that your kitchen is the most exciting place to live in...and I don't think I'm the only one who ever thought about this....! The soup looks so comfortingly delicious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Ann, How are you doing? I hope you're doing better. Thank you for your comment.

      Delete
  6. What a fantastic clam dish! You have made such beautiful photograph... I find it so difficult with shellfish... And how do you manage to slice onion so finely??? I've never succeeded...
    Your peach cobbler looks so good, I want to run and buy a kilo of peaches and bake them too, but the kefir ice-cream is such a genius idea! You know, I grew up drinking kefir (a very popular drink in Poland, especially in the summer) and love it in a smoothie instead of yogurt or milk. Nothing beats the tangy kick ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sissi. You always post beautiful food photo, so elegant!

      Delete
  7. Wow that noodle dish looks super yummy! Lots of clams and green onion...mmm, I'm getting hungry :-) Peach cobbler and macaron are looking very yummy, too. I wish I could come over and try some!
    Thank you for your visit. It's very nice to meet you!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Tamago, It's pleasure to visit your blog. Your cats are very special and love the names...so fun!

      Delete
  8. 沢山のアサリが入ってて、うまみたっぷりの美味しいビーフン辛汁,食べてみたい!!
    あさりは結構お値段するから、滅多にアサリのお料理しません。子供の頃は、母がどっさり買ってきて、家族のみそ汁には溢れんばかりにアサリ入ってました。今は高級品?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. コメントありがとうございます。 そうなんですか? あさりが高いなんて、思いもしなかったです。 そうそう、あさりのお味噌汁大好きなんですよねえ。
      休暇を楽しんでくださいね。

      Delete
  9. Can't remember when I last had some quality clams!! The noddle soup looks so fresh and full of flavours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Angie. Your mango popsicle look so wonderful! And your photos look amazing!

      Delete
  10. The noodle soup looks lovely! I love clams! I'm soooo hungry!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Marcela. I have tons of figs from back yard. I should try your fig and plum tart. Is it very hot in New York? Take care.

      Delete
  11. This oyster soup looks absolutely delicious! You made me really hungry!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much Katerina! I didn't have a chance to try the sesame chocolate cake but I'm dreaming about it. The sweet pepper dish looks so good too.

      Delete