Nests of angel hair pasta, first browned then cooked in broth with tomatoes and onions.
Our favorite way of preparing angel hair nests is a Mexican dish called “sopa seca de fideo.”
It’s a lot like rice pilaf, but made with thin noodles instead of rice.
Elise Bauer
What Does Sopa Seca de Fideo Mean?
The name “sopa seca de fideo” translates to “dry soup with noodles.”
What Are Angel Hair Nests?
Elise Bauer
The dish is made with thin noodles, angel hair pasta or vermicelli.
Although it can be made with straight noodles, we always make fideo with the twirled angel hair nests.
Its pretty, easy to cook, and easier to serve that way one nest, one serving.
Elise Bauer
Our favorite brand of angel hair nests isDe Cecco.
They have an 8.8 ounce package that works perfectly for this recipe.
Browning the the pasta creates warm nutty flavor notes that you’re able to’t get otherwise.
Elise Bauer
It’s like toasted versus plain bread.
The trick to a great sopa seca de fideo is the chicken broth.
While bouillon and the boxes work fine, nothing beats homemade stock for this recipe.
Elise Bauer
It brings a richness that can’t be had any other way.
So if you try it, I strongly urge you to use homemade stock!
What To Serve With Sopa Seca de Fideo
Think of this dish as you would rice pilaf.
Elise Bauer
It goes with almost anything.
We serve it alongside steak, pork chops, fried fish, and chicken.
Because we make it with chicken stock, it is especially good with fried or roasted chicken dishes.
Elise Bauer
It also works well as a side to classic Mexican dishes, as an alternative toSpanish or Mexican rice.
In the pan, heat the oil until shimmering hot.
Add the chopped onions to the pan and saute until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
Elise Bauer
Add the chopped tomatoes.
Add the chicken stock.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Elise Bauer
Bring the stock mixture to a simmer.
The nests should cover the whole pan.
Turn them over in the stock so that they get moistened on all sides.
Cover and cook until the vermicelli has soaked up the liquid, about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
