Honey, Chilli and Garlic Noodles- Kid's Special Recipe

Movies, many a times reflect life. Life as it is. Life as it should be. I recently happened to watch the movie “The Lunchbox”. A deftly made movie, in which the both the male and female protagonist don’t meet; they communicate with each other through a series of notes sent through a “dabba” (lunchbox) that has been wrongly delivered. The Lunchbox hits the right spot when it so gracefully touches the trials, tribulations, fears and hopes of the people of Mumbai. There are many problems that the female protagonist tackles in the movie. One among them is the eternal question of what to pack in her husband’s and daughter’s lunch box. Trivial as it may seem, this is one of the more pertinent questions faced by most mothers today at least in this city. On one level, in a vastly commercialised junk food world, it is about keeping the kid interested in the lunch. Then, at another level, it is about maintaining the nutrition level. Add to it, kids these days are well informed; if you fail to convince them about something on the plate, be rest assured that it won’t be eaten.  

So then, what’s the solution we may ask? The way out to me would be to have the kids menu designed in a manner that appeals to them. Few thoughtful touches would make a huge differences, abundance of colours, shapes could do. Another thing could be done is involve them in the kitchen, time permitting small jobs for example, buttering the bread could be theirs.

And so, here is one recipe that should definitely appeal to all kids and as well as adults. Yes, a noodles recipe. Most kids love noodles and I have kept it very simple, incorporating the basic flavours. The good thing is it came of well. Just the chillies and honey to suit juniors taste. Another suggestion is try not to break the noodles when cooking them. There is a certain pleasure in slurping the long noodles.

Hope you like this one and when juniors home, I do hope you get the response that is a famous ad running on TV these days “Dhabba Khaali; pet full”!

Honey, Chilli and Garlic Noodles

Ingredients:

• 400 grams noodles of your choice
• 80 grams garlic, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons, soya sauce
• 3 teaspoons, oil
• Juice of half a lime
• 40 grams, red chilli flakes
• 3 tablespoons, honey
• 1 tablespoon, sesame seeds

Procedure:

• Cook the noodles as instructed on the pack till they are al dente (75% done). Once cooked, keep them under running water for a while and add a teaspoon of oil to prevent them from sticking. You could add salt now to the noodles.
• Whisk the soya sauce and lemon juice together in a bowl and add the red chilli flakes. Keep aside.
• Now, heat the remaining oil in wok or a heavy pan and add the garlic. Cook on a high flame for 2 minutes or till the garlic is reddish brown and has started releasing a pleasant aroma.
• Once the garlic has browned, add the soya sauce and lemon emulsion and give it a quick mix.
• Add the noodles in small batches tossing well each time. 
• Once all the noodles are well coated with the soya sauce, and the honey and toss again for a final time.
• Garnish with the sesame seeds and serve hot.