Here’s how you can make noodles look, taste more interesting

Sid Mathur, creator and key advisor for Wai Wai City (quick service restaurant noodle bar) and Chef Manoj Pandey, partner chef at The Piano Man, have rolled out tips:

* Ingredients like lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and lemon zest can bring out beautiful flavours.

* Adding nuts like peanuts or almonds adds texture and crunch to a simple bowl of noodles which makes every bite fun.

* Curried meat or vegetable can bulk up the meal.

* A quick sauce can be made by blending one fresh tomato with a pinch of pepper, salt to taste and mix in a teaspoon of soya sauce and vinegar. Add it to the water being boiled to cook the noodles and create a new dimension.

* To give a rounded flavour to your meal, chop and blanch a cup of mixed vegetables like beans, broccoli, peas and carrots. Strain and add to the noodles being cooked when they are half done. Stir till done.

* Lightly dry roast a tablespoon of sesame seeds and half a cup of shelled peanut. Crush them coarsely. Chop one small onion with a de-seeded chilli and a small bunch of fresh coriander. Mix half the contents in the cooked noodles before serving and sprinkle the rest.