Chow mein with pork and cucumber

Recipe : Chow mein with pork and cucumber

Adapted from memory from 'An Encyclopedia of Regional Chinese cooking' by Kenneth Lo

2 tbsp peanut or vegetable oil

1 lb of pork loin, all fat and sinew removed, sliced into matchsticks

1/2 cucumber, cut lengthwise in half, seeds removed and finely shredded

4 scallions, (spring onions), finely shredded

1/2 medium green bell pepper, seeded and finely shredded

1/2 tin bamboo shoots

large handful of spinach

1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped finely

1/2 inch piece ginger, peeled and chopped finely

2 bundles of egg noodles

4 tbsp peanut or vegetable oil

Sauce (Mix all together in a bowl)

3 tbsp say sauce

2.5 tbsp Chinese wine or dry sherry

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp cornflour (cornstarch)

Boil the noodles until soft in a pan of boiling salted water, drain well and refresh with cold water, then drain thoroughly again and place into a bowl.

Preheat the oven to a warming temperature, such as 250oF. Heat the 4 tbsp of peanut oil in a frying pan or wok over high heat until really hot and then pour over the noodles. (It should be hot enough to sizzle when it hits the noodles). Stir well to coat the noodles, then throw them back into the frying pan or wok, still on high heat and stir fry for about 5 minutes until they are crispy. Drain on paper towels and place into an oven proof bowl. Keep warm in the oven while you prepare the meat and veg.

Wipe the frying pan or wok clean with paper towels and then add the 2 tbsp of oil. Heat over a high heat and add the pork. Stir fry for a few moments until the pork is browned and then remove from the pan and drain on kitchen towel. Reheat the wok, add the cucumber, scallions, bell pepper, bamboo shoots and spinach and stir fry also until soften

Reheat the wok and add the garlic and ginger. Stir fry for 30 seconds and then add all the sauce ingredients. Stir and then return the meat and vegetables. Stir thoroughly to reheat and coat in the sauce and then serve over the crisped, fried noodles.