Minced Beef Fried Noodles

Oodles of noodles…..I never get tired of noodles. Fried, soupy, rice, wheat, buckwheat, pasta, they are all good. I always have a good stock of dried noodles in my pantry, including the ubiquitous instant noodles. A quick meal can be prepared with just the ingredients in the pantry!

I had defrosted a pack of minced beef for some dish but changed my mind about cooking an entire meal. I needed an all-in-one solution and so decided to go with noodles instead. While the rice noodles were soaking, I cut up some broccoli and carrots as they go pretty well with beef. Might as well throw in the bean sprouts. Minced some garlic and ginger and I was all set.

The inner portion of the broccoli stalk is pretty tasty and should not be wasted. Peel off the tough outer layer with a paring knife.

Slice the tender inner portion.

Ro-Ri’s Minced Beef Fried Noodles
8 oz dried flat cut rice noodles
½ lb minced beef
6 oz bean sprouts
1 cup finely sliced broccoli
½ cup sliced baby carrots
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tbsp julienned ginger
2 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp fish sauce
3 tbsp soy sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp chili garlic sauce (optional)

Soak rice noodles for at least 30 minutes. Drain and set aside. Marinade minced beef with pepper and 1 tbsp soy sauce for 30 minutes.

Heat 2 tbsp sesame oil in a pan. Sauté garlic and ginger till fragrant. Add minced beef, stir to break it up. Cook till brown. Add broccoli and carrots, stir for a couple of minutes. Stir in chili garlic sauce, if using. Then add drained noodles, soy sauce, fish sauce, salt, pepper, and ¼ cup water. Stir to combine, about a couple of minutes. Add bean sprouts and stir for another couple of minutes.

Water should be absorbed, noodles are dry, and bean sprouts are still nice and crunchy. Yields 2 to 3 servings.