As I'd mentioned in my last post, I've decided to work on a couple of non-gardening projects this year. First, I'd like to learn finally how to use a sewing machine. I'd purchased one last year but am sad to say that it's still lying sealed inside the box. Hopefully that will change soon. If anyone has any suggestions on how best to learn without having to take a sewing class, please let me know!
The other project I'd like to get done this year is to put together a book containing recipes I've collected in my head through the years as well as photos. Like most home cooks, I tend to cook with "a little bit of this" and "a little bit of that" and have never really put the time or effort into writing it all down on paper using proper measurements. The focus for this year's work will be Asian noodles, essentially all of the noodle dishes that I personally like to eat. Maybe next year, I'll work on something a bit more fun - like deep-fried Asian comfort food. I figured that this would be something special to hand down to Jonathan when he gets older and also to give out as Christmas gifts to my family.
Anyway, this weekend was all about fundamentals - homemade wheat noodles to be exact. I make mine with a mix of bread flour, wheat starch and water. Most recipes you come across will omit the starch. However, using flour alone often results in a noodle that is on the gummier side. The starch adds tenderness and sheen to the cooked noodle. I use about 1/4 cup of wheat starch for every 2 cups of bread flour. Enough water is added to form a stiff dough. Then it goes into the fridge for a few hours to relax before it gets run through the pasta maker.
You can hand-roll and hand-cut the dough to make thick udon style noodles. In this case, Jonathan and I used a pasta maker to create thinner noodles, which ultimately ended up in a stir-fried lo mein dish. Jonathan is getting so strong - he's now able to roll out the pasta by himself from start to finish.
This upcoming weekend, we'll work on making homemade Chinese egg noodles and lye (or alkaline) noodles. If we have time, we'll make some soba noodles as well.
Lucky you to have such a great helper!! It looks like he's doing a fine job! I see the makings of a good cook!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipe. Making my own noodles and pasta is on my list for this year too. I love the photo of your boy...look how fast his hand is moving...it is blurred!
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun! You're such a good dad Thomas :-)
ReplyDeleteNoodles! They're my favorite! How sweet of Jonathan to help you. Great kid you have there!
ReplyDeleteLove the picture. It's great having a little helper in the kitchen and garden. You're teaching him some great skills. My son has taken over watering "his" seedlings every day and likes to help me bake bread.
ReplyDeleteOh my, home made noodles. Totally amazing!
ReplyDeleteThomas, if you ever finish that cookbook you should post it as a PDF on your blog. I, for one, would love to read through it.
ReplyDeleteYou never cease to amaze me! Your noodles look delicious!!! I think the recipe book is a wonderful idea. Because of you're excellent parenting, Jonathan is enjoying so many exciting learning experiences.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you hoping to sew? If you email me and give some specifics, I could maybe suggest a book or give directions. I've been sewing all my life, and I'm OLD! haha!
I used to make homemade noodles all the time, but haven't in over a decade.
ReplyDeleteSewing isn't hard. I learned without a book and without any outside help at all. I just took a pattern and some cloth. I did learn that silk and velvet are really hard to work with. Cotton is easy to work with and is cheap so start with that. I just played around with my sewing machine settings until I understood them. And I read the manual.
Thomas, I would surely appreciate it if you would post your lo mein recipe. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteweaverpat - thanks for the offer. At this point, I just want to be able to make some simple curtains. Can you imagine? We are living without curtains. I'm sure our neighbors get an eye full (not that they would care).
ReplyDeleteYum! We've just started making some homemade noodles too.. the kids love them! it's great to get them involved in the process..
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see a book of your recipes!
Do you mean sowing machine or sewing machine? I could see you using either!
ReplyDeleteBetter than play doh!! It's SO good that you are teaching your (adorable) son to enjoy spending time in the kitchen. Nothing like being able to feed yourself GOOD food.
ReplyDeleteWow! Thomas, I hope you decide to go the standard publishing route so that we can by your book. Seriously. You have the platform, you have the beautiful pictures, the technique...
ReplyDeleteGZMC - that's for catching my mistake! I have since edited. :)
ReplyDeleteMarie - Thanks for the encouragement. Marc just published a law book (which I am so envious of) with the American Bar Assoication. I don't think I'm up to the task but we'll see where this goes. At the very least, I might self-publish and let people buy an e version for a nominal fee.
Love those noodles! Homemade ones are so good tasting. FWIW, I use the Living Cookbook software to enter and organize my recipes. It also has several output options to share and/or publish your recipes.
ReplyDeleteIt's about time we got our Jonathan fix again! He looks so handsome, stylish glasses, making pasta, this kid is going to be amazing! BTW, you ARE a "sowing machine" too LOL.
ReplyDeleteI didn't take any sewing classes and I am now very comfortable with my machine - I recommend starting on something you do not need a pattern for, why add fuel to the fire? My first project was simple gift bags in varying sizes with drawstrings. Get some holiday looking fabric, probably on clearance now, and just sew some up, just using your own common sense, you'll see once you get going. Highly recommend getting a few library books on basic overall sewing techniques, mostly so you can learn the lingo and what different things are called, you can always learn the "technique" later once you have the vocab down LOL. Another thought is to get some plain muslin fabric and have Jonathan stamp or paint the gift bags, it will keep him busy while you are learning - I've been there! I went straight from gift bags to quilts, and am only now after 2 months trying my first paper pattern, I personally think they are harder than quilts! good luck
For sewing I highly recommend starting with the Built by Wendy book Sew U. It gives an easy to understand overview of sewing, pattern reading and comes with a pattern for skirt, shirt and pants that you can customize.
ReplyDeleteWow, Jonathan is growing up so fast. What a handsome little man. So cute that he is helping you make the noodles. I love Asian noodle dishes and never thought of making my own. I even have a pasta maker that I haven’t used for years. Time to take it out and get cranking.
ReplyDeleteBack to the book - I do hope you'll think about it. I know it will be good, and I'll be first in line to buy it. Gardening, cooking, where you started, your recipes out of your head and onto the page, your pictures, your family. The New American Family Cookbook? Ha. Sorry to sound so pushy. Just enthusiastic. It's a winner!
ReplyDeleteThis picture could be a magazine ad! So cute and soul-warming. From time to time I buy self published books through lulu.com. I don't know what the deal is exactly but it might be a publishing route.
ReplyDeleteI love that photo of Jonathan using the noodle maker! Good job we don't live closer or I'd be round every week for home made noodles!!!
ReplyDeleteRe the sewing machine. Use the instructions to teach you how to thread it and how to fill the spool - generally quite straight forward. Then get some scraps of different materials and practice sewing using the different stitch types, tensions etc ....just keep your fingers out from under the needle as sewing your own finger really hurts!!!
It's not rocket science and once you've done your first straightish line you'll love it! Just don't try anything too complicated early on or it'll put you off - and don't try velvet or silk yet!
Oh there's a recipe and some instruction, time to cook for my kids, hope they like it. Thanks! great blog.
ReplyDeleteI just picked the new hobby of sewing. Recently I borrowed a book from the library that I highly recommanded, actually it's the DVD that comes with the book. It contains some sewing techniques. I like to learn by watching other people sew. I've watched the DVD at least three times already. The book is called "Make It You-Sew Hip" by Shannon Mullen. The book itself doesn't have a lot materials, just the DVD that I think is useful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet helper you have! Enjoy every minute of it. He'll be up and grown in a blink of an eye!
ReplyDeleteWould you perhaps sell copies of your noodles recipes once you put them together? I would love it!