13 Oodles of Noodles

Oodles of Noodles written by John Lockyer

noodles Noodles are healthy food that is eaten all around the world. They are thin strips of pasta. Noodles give us energy to move, to walk, to run and to play. Most noodles are made from wheat flour. In China and Japan, noodles are also made from rice, beans and even seaweed!

pasta machine Some people make fresh noodles at home. The flour is mixed with water to make a dough. Sometimes eggs are mixed in, too. After the dough has been rolled out very thin, it is cut into long strips with a knife or a pasta machine.

factory Most noodles are made in factories. Computers measure the flour and water into a large tub. In the tub, the flour and water are mixed together to make a dough. Then the dough is put into a pressing machine, which presses it through small round holes to make noodles - oodles of noodles!

drying racks Most noodles that are made in factories are dried. Noodles are dried by blasting them with hot air or by hanging them over racks. Dried noodles can be kept for a long time before they are cooked. Fresh noodles do not keep for long. All noodles must be cooked before they are eaten.

noodle meal Noodles are quick and easy to cook, so they are a good meal for busy people. They are cooked for five to twelve minutes in boiling water. The noodles are put onto a plate or into a bowl. A sauce (made from tomatoes, cheese, herbs, vegetables or meat) can be poured over them. Noodles are also put into salads and soups.