Can I Make Ruby Noodles With Broad Rice Noodles?

Our answer

Nigella's Ruby Noodles (from COOK, EAT, REPEAT) is made with spaghetti that is parboiled and then cooked in beetroot juice spiked with garlic, ginger and chilli. Nigella suggests serving the noodles cold, though they can also be served warm.

If you wanted to use rice noodles then you need to bear in mind that they have a much shorter cooking time than spaghetti and can turn mushy very easily. If you are using Pad Thai-type noodles then usually you would soften the noodles in room temperature water for around 10 minutes and then drain them. As they are likely to only need around 3 minutes further cooking time (or check the packaging for the cooking time) you would need to reduce the beetroot sauce before adding the noodles. Simmer the sauce for 8 minutes, or until it reaches a coating consistency, then add the noodles and cook for a further 2-3 minutes (or for the time recommended for the noodles), adding a splash of water from a just-boiled kettle if the sauce becomes too thick. Also remember that the noodles will continue to cook in the residual heat of the pan, so remove the pan from the heat while the noodles are still slightly firm.