Vegetarian version of a noodles favourite
A classic for a reason.
“Fun fact: Singapore noodles actually originate from Hong Kong, not Singapore,” says Suzie Lee, author of Simply Chinese.
“It is said that this dish was invented by chefs in the 1950s and Sixties, when trade was booming in Hong Kong and spices such as curry powders were readily accessible.
“The name was just to give the dish some flair.
“This dish is on our Chinese takeaway menu and it is very popular.
“It is traditionally made with ham, chicken and prawns but I have made this veggie only, which tastes just as good.”
Veggie Singapore noodles recipe
Ingredients:
(Serves 4)
500g vermicelli rice noodles or roughly 250g dried noodles 4tbsp vegetable oil
4 large eggs, beaten with a pinch of salt
1 medium carrot, peeled and finely cut into matchsticks 1 sweet pepper (any colour),
deseeded and thinly sliced 100g baby corn, thinly sliced diagonally
100g mangetout, thinly sliced diagonally
1 medium onion, thinly sliced 3tsp curry powder (mild/medium/hot)
1tsp chilli powder (mild/medium/hot) (optional) 1tsp garlic powder
4tsp light soy sauce
2tsp toasted sesame oil
Sea salt and white pepper 2 spring onions, thinly slicede
Method
1. Soak the noodles in a heatproof bowl of boiling water for one minute, then strain and set aside.
2. Heat two tablespoons of the vegetable oil in a wok or frying pan over a high heat, add the beaten eggs and fry for a minute on each side, without stirring, until they set like an omelette.
Transfer to a plate, then cut into thin strips.
3. Heat one tablespoon of the oil in the wok or frying pan over a high heat, add the carrot, pepper, baby corn and mangetout with a splash of
water to stop them burning and fry for a minute.
Transfer to a plate. In the same wok or frying pan (you don’t need to clean it) add the remaining tablespoon of oil, then add the onion with a splash of water, the curry powder, chilli powder (if using – I use mild curry powder and leave out the chilli powder when I’m cooking this for kids) and garlic powder or granules and fry for a couple of minutes over a high heat until the aromas are released.
4. Toss in the cooked vermicelli and put all the vegetables back in the wok or pan.
Toss again so everything is evenly distributed. Add the soy sauce, sesame oil and egg strips and keep frying and tossing until the noodles change to a golden yellow colour.
Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed, add the spring onions and serve.
W Simply Chinese by Suzie Lee is published by Hardie Grant, priced £20. Photography by Lizzie Mayson. Available August 18.