THAI FRIED NOODLES (2)

Servings: 4
Ingredients:

Asian rice noodles
-- cut about 1/8 inch wide,
-OR-
1 lb Flat rice noodles
-- (fresh or dried)
3/4 c  Fish sauce; -OR-
6 tb -Soy sauce
4 ts Rice wine vinegar
-OR- distilled white vinegar
2 tb Sugar
4 ts High-quality paprika; -OR-
1/4 c  -Catsup or Tomato paste
1/2 c  Vegetable oil
-OR more if needed
8 oz Boneless pork
-OR- boned and skinned chicken
- cut into very small pieces
2 tb Minced or pressed garlic
2 ts Ground dried red hot chili,
-OR-
1 tb Minced fresh hot chile
4    Eggs; lightly beaten
8 oz Medium-sized shrimp
-- shelled and deveined,
-- tails left intact
10 oz Fresh bean sprouts
3    Green onions; thinly sliced
1/2 c  Chopped dry-roasted peanuts
-- (unsalted)
1/4 c  Chopped fresh cilantro

——————————–FOR GARNISH——————————–
Finely minced dried shrimp
Fresh cilantro sprigs
Lemon or lime wedges

In a bowl, cover the noodles in lukewarm water and let stand to soften,
about 15 minutes for fresh noodles or about 30 minutes for dry noodles.
Drain and cut into 6-inch lengths, if desired. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine the fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, and paprika,
catsup, or tomato paste. Set aside.

Heat a wok or saute pan over high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat the
pan. Add the pork or chicken, garlic, and chili and stir-fry for 1 minute.
Stir in the drained noodles and the reserved fish sauce mixture and
stir-fry about 30 seconds. Push the noodles to one side, pour in about a
tablespoon more oil, if necessary, and add the eggs; cook just until
slightly set, then break them up. Add the shrimp and stir-fry just until
they turn pink. Add most of the bean sprouts, the green onion, and 1/4 cup
of the peanuts and stir-fry until the sprouts and onions are crisp-tender,
1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a serving plate.

Sprinkle with the chopped cilantro, remaining 1/4 cup peanuts, and dried
shrimp. Garnish with the remaining bean sprouts, cilantro sprigs, and
lemon or lime wedges, and serve immediately. Diners squeeze lemon or lime
juice to taste.

Serves 8 as a pasta course, or 4 as a main course

From: stigle@cs.unca.edu (Sue Stigleman)

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