Better Late Than Never: Shirataki Primavera

Long-time readers will recall my "Livin' La Vida Shirataki Recipe Contest" from about a year ago with these five finalists making the cut.

I blogged quite extensively about these high-fiber low-carb Japanese wonder noodles, so I invite you to visit my "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Links" blog for a full listing of information, recipes, and where you can purchase shirataki noodles!

Although my contest ended long ago, that didn't stop a reader from submitting her shirataki recipe to me this week. And I'm happy to share it with you now. ENJOY!

SHIRATAKI PRIMAVERA

1 pound Konjac brand of shirataki
4 Tablespoons (1/4 cup butter) divided
1/2 cup small broccli florets, (blanched)
1 cup heavy cream
1 egg yolk
1clove garlic, crushed
1 1/2 cups freshly grated parmesan
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/4 cup fresh basil chiffonade (cut into ribbons)
cherry, grape or other small tomatoes, sliced in half
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Drain and wash 1 pound of Shirataki noodles. Dry the noodles by absorbing extra water with paper towel or toss noodles in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until dry. Set aside.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in medium saucepan over medium high-heat. Add broccoli and sautee for 1 minute.

In a separate bowl, whisk together cream and egg yolk and add to saucepan. Continue to whisk and cook for only 1 to 2 minutes. Add garlic and cheese and whisk quickly until heated through.

Remove from heat and stir in the remaining butter and chopped parsley. Pour over shirataki noodles and toss. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and tomatoes.

Add salt and fresh ground pepper if desired.

Don't Ruin Shirataki Noodles With Carbs

One of the most popular topics I blogged about in 2006 was the sudden emergence of the low-carb pasta alternative known as shirataki. I held a recipe contest and blogged at great length about these Japanese wonder noodles.

Last month, I was interviewed by a student in Toronto, Ontario Canada who was doing a project for her journalism class on popular new trends and she chose shirataki noodles. I've learned a lot about this stuff, so I guess I was as good a resource for her as anyone. And I was happy to talk with her about my own personal use of shirataki.

Well, it's happened again with this Star-Bulletin highlighting the high-fiber alternative to regular pasta. Although the author Keiko Ohnuma mentioned my blog in the column (which I appreciate), I was VERY concerned about two things:

First, Ohnuma mentioned that "comments on blogs such as 'Livin' La Vida Low-Carb' find Americans now gobbling up shirataki by the caseload in recipes loaded with fat-free cheese, fat-free sour cream, Boca Burgers, Egg Beaters and Splenda."

Say what?! "Fat-free cheese, fat-free sour cream, Boca Burgers, Egg Beaters?!" I challenge Ohnuma to send me the links to the posts where either me or any of my readers used any of those ingredients in low-carb shirataki recipes. UGH! Come on, man. You're killing me here with the fat-free crap!

Then, as if the fat debacle wasn't enough, then he posts THREE recipes using shirataki noodles that are clearly NOT healthy for you to consume because of the high carb content. A "Spicy Pork with Cellophane Noodle" recipe has 60g carbs while a "Sweet Potato Noodle Stir-Fry" contains a whopping 83g carbs per serving. Are they TRYING to kill people?

If we're gonna promote something healthy life shirataki noodles, then don't ruin the health benefits with needless carbs. It does no good to eat shirataki if you take away what makes it good for you to begin with.

You can e-mail your comments about this story to Keiko Ohnuma at kohnuma@starbulletin.com.

Low-Carb Teriyaki Shrimp With Snow Peas

Shrimp, mmm...teriyaki, mmm...snow peas...OH YUMMY!

I don't know about you, but the traditional art of cooking up a delicious home-cooked meal that takes hours in the kitchen to prepare are long gone in the year 2006. It's sad that we have such fast-paced lives, but it is the reality of the day. Sometimes I wish we could go back to the time when life was savored and people actually sat down together to enjoy a meal together while getting to know one another better. Sigh.

Anyways, I have an excellent recipe that will remind you of those classic dishes that Mom used to make today while conforming to the time constraints of living in modern society. It uses several nutritious high-quality low-carb ingredients, including shrimp, snow peas, extra virgin olive oil and water chestnuts. Compliments of our friends at Low-Carb Connoisseur, this recipe is sure to delight every friend and family member who is privileged to have a meal with you.

Remember to enjoy your time together with those you care about the most because you are never guaranteed how long you will have to spend with them before the good Lord decides to take you or them home. Make sure you have more "I'm glad I did" moments rather than the "I wish I had" moments when you reflect back on your life someday. Never regret showing more love, compassion, and friendship in a world that has become increasingly hateful, cold-hearted, and antagonistic.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox now. For this recipe, be sure to blanch the snow peas and sear the shrimp to save time. ENJOY!

LOW-CARB TERIYAKI SHRIMP WITH SNOW PEAS

1 1/2 pounds peeled and deveined jumbo or extra jumbo shrimp, patted dry
Salt
1 Teapoon Emeril's Asian Seasoning
1 tablespoon Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil
6 ounces snow peas (about 2 cups)
1 can (5 ounces) water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
5 tablespoons Steel's Wasabi Teriyaki sauce

1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Sprinkle shrimp with salt, Emeril's Asian Seasoning and toss.

2. Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over high heat until very hot. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1 to 1-1/2 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Meanwhile, drop snow peas into boiling water, cook just 20 seconds, drain.

3. Add snow peas, water chestnuts and sauce to skillet with shrimp. Mix well and heat through briefly.

Servings: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake/Cook time: 5 minutes

Carbohydrates: 10.5g
Net Carbs: 7.5g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 36g
Fat: 8g
Calories: 259

OPTIONAL RECIPE VARIATION: I was looking at this recipe and realized how easy it would be to incorporate Konjac shirataki noodles into this recipe in Step 3 of the cooking procedures and stir fry it with the other ingredients. Mmmm, I'm liking that! Give it a try to add some more fiber to this recipe without the extra carbs!

Got Shirataki? You Bet We Do!

Everybody and their momma's looking for information about shirataki

Over the past week at my blog, I have noticed a sudden exponential increase in the number of people looking for information about the amazing Japanese low-carb noodles known as shirataki as a result of a feature story in the First For Women magazine. As my regular readers already know, I have written many articles about this miracle yam-based pasta alternative that is low-fat, low-calorie and low-carb. WOO HOO!

So, as a service to all of those new people (Hey there and WELCOME TO MY BLOG!) who are looking for all things shirataki, the following is a listing of the columns I have written about shirataki noodles, including reviews of the House Foods and Konjac shirataki brands, TONS of delicious recipes including the ones that were submitted to me during my "Livin' La Vida Shirataki" recipe contest, where you can buy shirataki noodles for yourself, and so much more. ENJOY and come back again soon!

INFORMATION & REVIEWS ON SHIRATAKI
- Shirataki Noodles: Low-Carb Blessing Or Curse?
- My review of Konjac Shirataki Noodles
- My review of House Foods Tofu Shirataki Noodles
- The Shirataki Noodle Diet

SPECIALS ON SHIRATAKI NOODLES
- House Foods Shirataki As Low As $1.89 at LO-CARB U
- New Shapes For Konjac Shirataki Introduced

MMMM, SHIRATAKI RECIPES
- Shirataki Peanut Stir Fry Recipe
- Shirataki "Mac & Cheese" Recipe
- Shirataki Veggies & Peanut Sauce Recipe
- Thai Coconut-Ginger Shrimp Fettucini Shirataki Recipe
- Almond Shirataki Chicken Chow Mein
- Konjac Shirataki Seafood & Peanut Butter Ginger Dressing Recipe
- Konjac Shirataki With Homemade Marinara Sauce
- Top Five Finalists In The "Livin' La Vida Shirataki" Recipe Contest
- Lemon Konjac Shirataki With Dill Salmon Recipe

WHERE TO BUY SHIRATAKI NOODLES
- Konjac individual or 20-pack from Low-Carb Connoisseur
- House Foods from LO-CARB U