Best Lacy Rice Noodle Crisps Recipes

THAI CRISPY RICE NOODLES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Separate the rice noodles by pulling apart the various sections into manageable amounts. Using scissors, cut the noodles into strips 4 to 5 inches long.
• Place the oil in a wok or small to medium frying pan. The smaller the pan, the less oil you will have to use. Heat the oil over medium-high heat for a minimum of 1 minute.
• Take a few longer noodle pieces in your hand and dunk just the ends into the hot oil. If the oil is hot enough, the submerged parts will bloom within seconds into puffy, crispy noodles. If this doesn't happen, remove the submerged parts and cut them off. Wait a little longer for your oil to heat up, then try again.
• Once the oil is ready, gently drop handfuls of the noodles into the hot oil.
• Have a utensil at the ready to quickly flip them once. The actual cooking time is only a few seconds.
• Set the puffed noodles to drain on paper towels. Sprinkle a little salt over them if desired. Continue frying the rest of your noodles. (You may need to reduce the heat to medium to avoid burning.)

SPICY RICE NOODLES WITH CRISPY TOFU AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. As the oven heats, press the tofu (you can do this by sandwiching the block in paper towels and placing a cutting board, plus a heavy pot, can or book on top).
• Cut the tofu into 1/2-inch cubes and place in a medium bowl. Add the salt and oils, and toss to combine.
• Sprinkle the cornstarch, panko and sesame seeds, if using, and toss gently so the tofu cubes are coated.
• Spread on the prepared sheet and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, flipping once, until golden-brown and crisp.
• While the tofu bakes, start the noodles: Put the dry rice noodles in a big, wide bowl. Fill a kettle, bring the water to a boil, and pour the boiling water over the noodles to cover. Set aside for 6 to 10 minutes, until the noodles are fully rehydrated and soft. (Time may vary by brand.) Then drain, rinse with cold water, and drain again. Transfer noodles to a large bowl.
• As the noodles soak, prepare the spicy sesame oil: In a small pot, combine sesame oil, peanut oil, garlic, ginger, red-pepper flakes and sesame seeds. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook on the lowest heat for 10 to 12 minutes, until the garlic slices turn golden.
• Meanwhile, on your cutting board, make a small mound with the teaspoon of salt. Place the basil and the scallions on top, and use your knife to furiously chop and smash until you have a rough paste.
• Mix the basil paste into the bowl of rice noodles. Pile the baby spinach on top. Pour at least half of the hot oil immediately over the spinach, tossing so that the heat wilts the leaves slightly. Then add the juice of the 1/2 lime and toss to combine. Taste for salt and lime juice, and add more oil as you see fit.
• Arrange the tofu on top of the noodles, or mix them in so that the cubes hide like little treasures. For extra flair, garnish with additional sesame seeds and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil.

LACY COCONUT CRISPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together flour, sugar, and salt into a medium bowl. Add coconut milk, and stir until well combined. Stir in vanilla and shredded coconut. Add butter, and stir until combined. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Drop teaspoons of batter onto baking sheets lined with nonstick baking mats, spacing about 3 1/2 inches apart. Using moistened fingers, gently flatten cookies to the size of quarters.
• Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are flat and edges are golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks; let cool completely. Wipe mats and cool sheets between batches.