Aeri's Kitchen

Cellophane noodles (also known as Chinese vermicelli, bean threads, bean thread noodles, or glass noodles) are a type of transparent Asian noodle made from starch (such as mung bean starch, potato, or canna starch) and water. They are generally sold in dried form, boiled to reconstitute, then used in soups, stir fried dishes, or spring rolls. Cellophane noodles are generally round, and are available in various thicknesses. Wide, flat cellophane noodle sheets called mung bean sheets are also produced in China. Cellophane noodles should not be confused with rice vermicelli, which are made from rice and are white in color rather than clear.

In Korean cuisine, glass noodles are usually made from sweet potato starch and are called dangmyeon (당면; literally “Tang noodles”; also spelled dang myun, dangmyun, tang myun, or tangmyun). They are commonly stir-fried in sesame oil with beef and vegetables, and flavoured with soy and sugar, in a popular dish called japchae. They are usually thick, and are a brownish-gray color when uncooked.

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• Use:
  JapChae, Dumpings, Frying Snack, and so on

• Storage:
  Keep in the cabinet.

• Short Korean lesson: *^^*
  DangMyun (당면)=Cellophane Noodles

Crab sticks are a type of processed sea food made of surimi, or finely pulverized white fish flesh, that has been shaped and cured to resemble snow crab legs. The individual pieces are usually colored red or yellowish red, and rectangular-oblong in shape, and small strings of the crab sticks can be neatly pulled and torn out in a similar manner to string cheese. The smell of crab sticks is similar to sea-food products. The texture is rubbery, and the taste is slightly salty. Crab sticks are cooked during the curing process and can be eaten directly from the package. Contrary to popular belief, crab sticks do not actually contain any crab, and since 1993 manufacturers have been legally obliged to label them “crab flavored sticks”. The primary ingredient in most crab stick is Alaska Pollock from the North Pacific.

A sushi roll made with crab sticks, avocado, and cucumber (sometimes) rolled with sesame seeds on the outside, is a California roll. Crab sticks are also often used in seafood salads as a cheaper substitute for real crab meat. Quality imitation crab is usually lower in cholesterol than regular crab, but it is also highly processed. The taste is vaguely like steamed crab.

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Corn syrup is made from cornstarch, and composed mainly of glucose. A series of two enzymatic reactions are used to convert the corn starch to corn syrup. Its major use is in commercially-prepared foods as a thickener and for its moisture-retaining (humectant) properties which keep foods moist and help to maintain freshness. Because of its mild sweetness, corn syrup may be used in conjunction with highly-intense sweeteners. Corn syrup is used to soften texture, add volume, prohibit crystallization, and enhance flavor.

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We use both brown rice vinegar and apple vinegar interchangeably in Korean cooking. It is made with brown rice. There is another type of rice vinegar called chapssal (찹쌀, glutinous rice). Both are mixed with nuruk (누룩) which is a Korean fermentation starter. Ssal sikcho (쌀식초) or micho (미초) refer to rice vinegar in Korean. Rice vinegar has been favored by Koreans for its good flavor and nutritious element.

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Immature garlic stems are tender and edible. They are also known as garlic spears or garlic tops. They have a milder taste than cloves. In Korea, we make some side-dishes with garlic stems. You can fry or pickle them with a spicy sauce or plain pickling spices.

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