Dieter's Dream Ingredient - Shirataki Noodles

Fresh shirataki noodles - this type has seaweed in it

Shirataki noodles, also known as konnyaku noodles, are a dieter's dream why? 

Because they are:

- CARB-FREE

- FAT-FREE

- GLUTEN-FREE 

...and oh oh oh wait for it, CALORIE-FREE?!?!!? Say what?! And it's not air? 

They are made from Konjac flour, from the roots of a Konjac plant, a type of yam-like plant. As such, it is also HIGH IN FIBER (glucomannan, a water soluble fiber that helps you feel full), and has a nice chewy texture that allows it to be used as a pasta/noodle replacement. 

Yes, there are some caveats to cooking with it, as it does require a little bit more preparation - you must first pre-boil or sautee the noodles quickly before using them, or else there is a strange odor/flavor to them, however it is completely worth it.

The nice thing about these noodles is that they readily absorb the flavors of whatever they're cooked in - I prefer using them as a noodle replacement in noodle soups.

Shirataki noodles... after they've been accidentally frozen and thawed -____-;;

The other day I realized that someone had made the mistake of putting one of my Shirataki noodle packs in the freezer and look what happened! They became so shriveled and hard that no amount of cooking could restore them, so DO NOT FREEZE!

They are usually sold in Asian supermarkets in wet packages, for a couple of dollars a pack - there are the plain clear ones, and the brown freckled seaweed ones. I find the seaweed ones have a very ocean-y flavor. They are also sold in noodle bunches, or in long cubes, usually marked as "Konnyaku".

Check out http://shirataki-noodles.recipesilove.com/ to see some good tips and recipes for cooking with them.

WARNING: If you are one of those people that will suddenly try to starve yourself by eating nothing but lettuce or whatever, do not try and do that with Shirataki noodles. Having no calories but being able to induce fullness is a double edged sword - a few girls in Japan died after spending a few months eating nothing but these noodles. There is almost no nutritional value!