FIVE-SPICE STIR-FRIED NOODLES

Jury uses soba noodles to make this dish. You can use other fairly thin noodles instead.

Chinese five-spice powder is available in Asian markets. “This fragrant spice mixture varies with the manufacturer,” wrote Nina Simonds in Spices of Life. “The usual seasonings are star anise, powdered licorice root, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, cloves and fennel.” To make a substitute blend, follow the note at the end of the recipe.

Serves 4

For the soba noodles: 500 gr. noodles 1 tbsp. vegetable oil

For the sauce:

½ cup (120 ml.) fresh orange juice

1 Tbsp. cornstarch

1 tsp. Chinese five-spice powder (to make a substitute, see below)

1 tsp. crushed red chili flakes, or to taste 2 Tbsp. soy sauce

2 tsp. agave syrup

For the stir-fry:

2 Tbsp. olive oil

500 gr. trimmed and sliced mushrooms 2 cups (280 gr.) baby carrots, sliced 1 onion, sliced

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

3 cups (520 gr.) broccoli florets

Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and return to the pan. Add the oil and toss to coat the noodles. Cover the pan and set aside.

For the sauce:

Combine the ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk until well blended. Set aside.

For the stir-fry:

Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, carrots, onion and garlic, and stir-fry for 5 minutes, until onion and garlic are golden. Add the broccoli florets, cover the pan, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are crisp-tender. Add the sauce. Cook, stirring for 3 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

Transfer the noodles to a serving bowl. Pour the vegetable and sauce mixture over the noodles. Toss to combine and serve immediately.

Note: If you don’t have five-spice powder, you can follow this recipe from Nina Simonds: “You can make your own five-spice powder by combining ¼ teaspoon each of ground aniseed, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger, and ¹⁄ teaspoon fresh8 ly ground black pepper. In some recipes, allspice is an acceptable substitute.”