NOODLES IN CUCUMBER-MEAT SAUCE - ZA JIANG MEIN

Servings: 6
Ingredients:

2 tb Peanut or corn oil
1 1/2 lb Chopped pork butt
2 tb Chinese rice wine
-=OR=- Dry sherry
1 tb Grated ginger
1 tb Minced garlic
6    Green onions; chopped
1/2 c  Hoisin sauce
1/4 c  Hot bean paste
2 tb Sugar
1 1/2 tb Soy sauce
1 c  Chicken stock
2 tb Sesame oil
1 lb Chinese wheat-flour noodles
- FRESH, (w/ or without egg)
1 lg Cucumber
-  cut into 1/3' cubes
Toasted black sesame seeds
- (for garnish)
Fresh coriander leaves
- (for garnish)

PREHEAT A WOK OR SAUCEPAN over medium-high heat. Add oil. When hot, lightly
brown the pork; break up clumps. Add rice wine; stir together for 1 minute
or until the pork is dry. Push meat up the sides of the wok. Add ginger,
garlic and half the green onions to the center of the wok; saute until
fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the hoisin sauce, hot bean paste, sugar and
soy sauce to the center; stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Mix the
sauce with the pork, add chicken stock and bring the sauce to a boil.
Reduce to simmer and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until sauce
has thickened into the consistency of spaghetti sauce, about 10 minutes.
Swirl in half of the sesame oil. Keep warm. Bring 3 quarts of water to a
boil. Separate strands by gently pulling the ball of noodles apart. Add
noodles to boiling water; stir with a pair of chopsticks. When water
reaches the second boil, add 1 cup cold water and let it come to a boil
again. Pour into a colander. Rinse with cold water. Drain thoroughly and
set aside. Toss with remaining tablespoon sesame oil and remaining green
onions. Divide noodles among 6 flat soup plates or bowls. Spoon meat sauce
on top. Garnish with cucumber, black sesame seeds and fresh coriander
leaves.

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