Noodles Made Healthy

CEBU, Philippines - Noodles have become the staple food for the masses. Many poor families subsist in noodle meals all days round. It’s inexpensive and really easy to cook.

But nutritionists caution that the popular “instant noodles” do not supply the necessary requirement of nutrients for the body. But, on the other hand, culinary experts say there are ways to make the noodles, including instant noodles, healthful. Vegetables can be added to noodles for its health benefits. Veggies do not get in the way of the taste that people are accustomed to – in fact, these can enhance it.

Malunggay is, an example, of vegetable that can be added to noodles. This vegetable is rich in iron, ascorbic acid, phosphorus, and calcium, which help control blood pressure, heal swollen joints, prevent diabetes, and strengthen lactating mothers. Manny Montala of Panlasang Pinoy Meat Recipes shares an easy recipe, where malunggay can be incorporated in pasta or noodle dish.

Malunggay Pasta

Ingredients:

¦ 2 eggs

¦ 2 Tbsp. corn oil

¦ 2 cups fresh malunggay leaves (moringga leaves)

¦ ½ tsp. salt

¦ 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted

¦ ¼ cup water, or as needed

Procedure:

¦ Place eggs, corn oil, malunggay and salt in a blender and puree.

¦ Place flour in a bowl and form a well. Pour in the malunggay mixture.

¦ Mix thoroughly. Dough should not be too sticky or too dry.

¦ Add a little bit of water to the dough if it is too dry.

¦ Kneed gently for about 3 minutes. Once done, wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

¦ Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough until just thin enough to run it through the pasta machine.

¦ Start by running the dough through the pasta machine using the thickest setting possible.

¦ Pass the dough twice in the same setting while occasionally dusting the rollers of the machine and the dough with flour to prevent sticking.

¦ Run the dough through a thinner setting until you reach the desired thickness, which is usually the thinnest possible setting.

¦ Cut the rolled out dough into spaghetti or fettucini using the proper setting in the pasta machine.

¦ Cook pasta in salted boiling water for about a minute or two. Serve with your favorite healthy pasta sauce. (FREEMAN)