shirataki

What are Shirataki Noodles? [shee-rah-TAH-kee] Thin, translucent, gelatinous noodles made from the starch of a yamlike tuber known as Devil's Tongue. Shirataki, which are the shredded form of konnyaku, have no discernable taste but absorb the dominant flavors of the soup or dish to which they're added. They can be found both in dry and soft forms in Asian markets and some supermarkets. The word shirataki means "white waterfall," alluding to the appearance of these noodles

--Copyright (c) 1995 by Barron's Educational Series, from The New Food Lover's Companion, Second Edition, by Sharon Tyler Herbst

Are Shirataki Noodles Health Conscious? Shirataki Noodles are naturally water soluble fiber with no fat, sugar, starch, or protein. They have zero net carbs, zero calories, and are pure soluable fiber - wheat and gluten free. The Konjac root is the source of Glucomannan; a water-soluble dietary fiber that expands to many times its size when eaten. This makes you feel full with less food and provides a good bit of fiber (some small studies have suggested that Glucomannan aids in lowing blood pressure and assists in regulating blood sugars too).

Whats the Difference between Regular Skirataki Noodles and Tofu Shirataki? The plain yam noodles are made mainly with the yam flour itself and are a white, semi-transparent color. Tofu Shirataki is made with the addition of tofu which makes the noodles white and raises the carb content slightly.

How do I prepare these things? First off, a warning. According to many sources these things stink a bit when you first open them. Rinsing them should do the trick. Suggested is to boil or microwave for a minute (no more) and then sauteé before using them. If you don't sauteé them they will give off water in your recipe and weaken your sauce, making it watery. Low Carb Eating recommends the following method:

After you’ve rinsed them, pat dry in a few paper towels and place in a sauce pan or skillet on HIGH with 1-2 tablespoons of fat/oil that can withstand high heat such as bacon fat, lard, or coconut oil. Don’t use too much. You just want to
barely coat the bottom of the pan... As the noodles sauté, they will reduce in size by about half. You don’t want to cook them down too long or they will be difficult to chew. Some moisture must remain to get the best texture... As soon as the noodles have reduced in size, add your sauce and toss until well coated and heated through.

Where can I Buy Shirataki Noodles? These noodles come in many different forms, from fettucine to angel hair pasta! The regular Shirataki noodles can be found at Konjac Foods. You can buy the tofu kind online at Heavenly Diet Store and ANA Super. You may be able to pick them up in your local Safeway or Asian Market (they are often referred to as 'wet noodles').

170+ recipes recipes using tofu shirataki noodles shirataki on ExtraTV Konjac Glucomannan Powder more FAQ shirataki discussion at LowCarbFriends.com Livin La Vida Low Carb's review