This is probably anathema to traditional Asian cooks, but it’s something I did last night that went down really well with the rest of my family. Noodles is not one of my fortes and I was in a bit of a rush, so this is what I did, and it was delicious!
Take a couple of bundles of dry egg noodles and break them into small pieces (break the nest – bundle – up about 4 times) into a bowl. Bring plenty of water to the boil and toss in the noodle pieces and boil for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Drain. Tip noodles into a broad (warm) bowl and stir in 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce, a pinch of garam masala, a pinch of roasted sesame seeds and a few drops of Chinese sesame oil. Add a pinch of sugar if you like.
Put onto individual plates or serve in the bowl with chopped coriander or mint leaves as a garnish with a small sprinkling of deep fried shallots (the store-bought kind) or deep fried chillies (again, the store-bought kind).
A whole lot easier and quicker than going through the drama of stir-frying the noodles in oil, this is simpler, delicious and healthier, complementing many main dishes. Try it.
AN EDIT….
I was wrong. I discovered that there’s a Chinese dish very much like this; so I’m not the big inventor I thought I might be.
But here’s a great additional treatment to the above. Instead of adding oyster sauce and sesame seeds as I’ve said above, make a “dressing” for the noodles, put the cooked noodles in a warm bowl, and just add the dressing and lightly toss….
Here’s the dressing.
Mix together 2 Tablespoons of sunflower (or veg) oil, 1 Tablespoon sesame oil, 1 crushed garlic clove and 3 teaspoons smooth peanut butter. Stir until smooth.
Add to this, 1 chopped green chilli, 2 Tablespoons roasted sesame seeds and 2 Tablespoons light soy sauce. Mix.
Add a splash (few drops) of fresh lime juice and season with salt and pepper.
You can carefully warm this dressing if you like, but be careful; just warm it, don’t heat it too much, and it’s not absolutely necessary if the noodles are kept hot.
Pour the dressing over the noodles, add 2 Tablespoons chopped coriander and mix.
Voila!
