Thursday, August 21, 2008

Black Bean Spaghetti with Calamari

Kitchenetta of Got No Milk is the host of this edition of Presto Pasta Night and this week I have a pasta that isn't quite what it seems.

black bean pasta© by Haalo


At first glance, the colour might lead you to think that this is squid ink pasta but it really is a gluten-free black bean spaghetti. What is even more surprising is that it is make from just black beans and water! I have no idea how they actually manage to transform that into something that behaves exactly like a traditional pasta.

As a play on the fact that it looks like squid ink pasta I'll be serving it with calamari.

Black Bean Spagetti with Calamari© by Haalo


Black Bean Spaghetti with Calamari

Black bean Spaghetti
2 fresh calamari, cleaned
2 small red chillies, sliced finely
3 garlic cloves, minced
grated fresh ginger
large handful fresh coriander leaves, cut finely
olive oil


Make the Marinade:
Place the chillies, garlic, ginger and coriander into a bowl - stir in enough olive oil to make a spreadable paste.

Prepare the Calamari:
After cleaning the calamari, reserve the wings and tentacles.

Cut the tentacles into bite sized lengths.

Slice the Calamari tube along its length to create one flat piece and then on the inside, create a criss-cross pattern on the flesh making sure you don't cut all the way through. Cut a criss-cross pattern on the wing as well.

Place the calamari onto a bowl and spoon over the marinade - keep a tablespoon to one side Cover and allow to macerate for a couple of hours in the fridge.

marinated calamari© by Haalo


Assemble the dish:

Remove the calamari tubes from the marinate and cut into thick strips.

Place a little oil into a wok and place over a high heat - when the pan is hot, grind some salt over the calamari and then sear them quickly, uncut side first. When golden, flip over and quickly sear the cut side - you should find that the pieces will curl.

Toss in the wings and tentacle pieces and cook for another 30 seconds or until they have changed colour.

Remove the calamari from the pan.

Add the reserved marinade, allow it to warm and then toss through the cooked Black bean Spaghetti. Return the calamari to the wok - stir again and then place into serving bowls with a final flourish of extra coriander.

marinated calamari© by Haalo


I have to admit I was somewhat sceptical about this pasta but I am incredibly impressed with just how it turned out. I can only imagine that if you are gluten-intolerant this must be such a welcome ingredient in your repertoire.

Quick FYI - this is the link to the exact product used here.

20 comments

  1. Neat Stuff !
    Immediately went searching for black bean spaghetti.....
    Couldn't find 1 listing ANYWHERE in Google or Wikipedia, whether I called it noodle or pasta
    Does this black bean noodle go by another name ?

    Paisanno@gmail.com

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  2. It is imported in Australia by Eco-Farms.

    Not sure where you live but there are contact details if you follow that link.

    This link is of the exact product I used but I also found a link to a similar product

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  3. Like paisanno, I'd like to know the name of this pasta. I'll be looking for it. What an inspired idea to use it like squid ink pasta in this recipe.

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  4. Well you had me there with the - it's not squid's ink pasta and I thought yeah it's veggie, but it went downhill for me after that. Your dish looks good though!

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  5. Interesting: black bean spaghetti. It looks beautiful!

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  6. Beautiful! Thanks for your submission to Presto Pasta Nights #77.

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  7. wow! awesome-looking dish.

    paz

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  8. Thanks VB - all the info is listed above.

    Thanks Holler - it's easy to leave out the calamari and just toss it through the warmed marinade

    Thanks JS!

    Thanks Kitchenetta!

    Thanks Paz - I'll make a serve just for you :)

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  9. MMMNNN love all things pasta, will try and make this spaghetti from scratch myself...beautiful photos, yummy recipe!

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  10. Just picked up a pack of this from my local supermarket tonight and went searching to see what others think of it - it looks great, and I'm glad to hear it does behave like pasta. I love black beans, and generally don't like gluten free pasta, but have several friends who don't eat gluten - they'll be happy to find this on my shelf :) My supermarket also had (from the same range) mung bean fettucini and soy spaghetti - both looked interesting but not quite as sexy as the black bean. If anyone reading this is in Inner West Sydney and wants to check it out my local is Banana Joe's, Illawarra Rd, Marrickville (and the pasta's on sale for $3/pack).

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  11. Black bean pasta? No kidding. Your pictures are amazing.

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  12. Thanks Tenina - hope you enjoy it

    Thanks for the info Jo - that is a really good price for it. I saw the other two but decided the black bean looked the most interesting but I will probably go back and try the others.

    Thanks Katerina!

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  13. Where in Melb do you buy that pasta? Ta.

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  14. Prahran Market - Organic Elements

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  15. This is such a beautiful plate of food. You're right it must be a wonderful "find" for gluten intolerant people.

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  16. Thanks Nina - indeed, i think it would be.

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  17. this looks fantastic.. definitely going to try this one. i've never heard of black bean spaghetti - if i can't find it i might just use squid ink. nice photos.

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  18. I've never come across black bean spaghetti before, but it's definitely something I would love to try.

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  19. Hi Y - you'd probably find it at some place like Macro Wholefoods or other Organic stores.

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