STIR IT UP
WOK-FRIED NOODLES WITH BEEF AND PAK CHOI RECIPE
INGREDIENTS:
(Serves 4) 350-400g steak (skirt, flank or sirloin), sliced across the grain into strips 3mm wide; 1tbsp cornflour; 1tbsp Shaoxing rice wine; 2tsp light soy sauce; 15g dried mushrooms, soaked in 100ml boiling water; 3 spring onions; about 400g thick dried wheat noodles; 2tbsp neutral oil; 3 garlic cloves, sliced; 400g pak choi, leaves separated
For the seasoning
sauce: 2tbsp light soy sauce; 2tsp dark soy sauce; 4tbsp oyster sauce; 2tsp sesame oil; 2tsp light brown sugar; a pinch of freshly ground white pepper
METHOD:
1. Tenderise your beef. Add to a bowl with the cornflour, rice wine and soy sauce, combine well and set aside to marinate while you prepare other elements of the dish.
2. Combine all the ingredients for the seasoning sauce in a shallow bowl or mug. Drain the rehydrated mushrooms, reserving the soaking liquid. Chop the spring onions into 4cm sections, then slice these lengthways to make thin matchsticks.
3. Cook your noodles until al dente or according to the packet and then drain. Do not cook them until soft, as they will continue to cook in the wok. Rinse these with plenty of cold water until they are completely cool (this will prevent them from sticking), then set aside.
4. Heat your wok over a high heat and add one tablespoon of the neutral oil. Add the marinated beef and stir continuously for two to three minutes or until the meat has browned and is crispy looking. Remove the beef from the wok and set aside, then clean the wok.
5. Place the other tablespoon of oil in the wok and set over a high heat. Add the garlic and quickly fry until fragrant (20 seconds), followed by the pak choi and rehydrated mushrooms, cooking for another minute or two. Keep everything moving in the pan to prevent it from burning. Add your cooked noodles, followed by the seasoning sauce and the reserved mushroom rehydration liquid. Return the cooked steak to the pan. Toss everything well and cook for one to two minutes until the sauce is bubbling and slightly reduced. Add the spring onions and toss through. Remove from the heat and serve.