Long before the chowmein conundrum congested our collective consciousness, the only smoodle of a noodle we could boast of in India was the simple sev and seviyan. The noodle have been slurped, gulped and twirled for centuries by cultures around the world but as for now, it won’t be wrong if I say that indeed, India has been totally noodle-ified today.

Noodles vary in width-they can be as thick as coffee stir sticks or as thin as thread. When it comes to length, however, they are usually served long and uncut in the belief that long noodle symbolize a long life. This is one reason why, in keeping with Chinese tradition, noodles are commonly served at birthday celebrations. noodles ,collectively known as mein, can be made from just about anything-wheat, mungbean, cornflour, rice, soyabean…..interestingly what we refer to as chowmein in India is actually lo mein-a dish in which boiled noodles are tossed in the work and mixed with other ingredients. Chowmein, on the other hand, have stir-fried ingredients served over noodles!

Below are some lip smacking noodle recipe that you can try out.

Manchurian salad with noodles

Ingredients:
2 cups boiled hakka noodles

For vegetable Manchurian balls:
1 cup grated carrots;1 capsicum(chopped);1 tsp garlic(chopped);1 tsp ginger(chopped);1/2 cup cabbage(chopped);3 tbsp maida;2 tsp Soya sauce;1 tsp chili sauce; oil to fry; salt and pepper to taste

To prepare the Manchurian dressing:
2 tbsp Soya sauce;1 tbsp chili sauce;1 tsp oil;1 tsp garlic(chopped);1 tsp ginger(chopped);1 tsp chilies(chopped);1 tsp coriander leaves(chopped);1/2 cup water;1 tbsp cornflour solution to thicken;2 tsp green spring onion(chopped);salt and pepper to taste

Method:

For vegetable Manchurian balls:
In a bowl mix the veggies with sauces and salt and Maida, and mix well, drop spoonful of the mix in oil and fry them until golden brown. Remove and keep aside.

To prepare Manchurian dressing:
Heat oil in a pan, sauté garlic, ginger, chilies, add the water, Soya sauce, chili sauce, seasonings, and bring to a boil. Add the cornflour solution and spring onion greens and coriander leaves. Mix well and remove. Cool and toss with Manchurian balls and noodles and serve chilled. Garnish with cherry tomatoes.