Zha Jiang Noodles ------Beijing Noodles with Meat Sauce

Zha jiang mian ( 炸酱面 , literally "fried sauce noodles", often transliterated as " Za Jiang Mein ") is a northern Chinese dish consisting of thick wheat noodles topped with a mixture of ground pork stir-fried with Zha jiang ( 炸酱 ), which is salty

Ingredients:

1 pound fresh noodles Optional vegetable garnish:

2 Tbsp. oil Blanched bean sprouts

1 Tbsp. minced garlic Julienned cucumber

1 pound ground pork

2 Tbsp. sherry

4 whole scallions, chopped

Seasoning sauce:

¼ cup brown bean sauce

¼ cup hoisin sauce

¼ tsp. chili paste with garlic

(Optional seasoning sauce: 1/2 cup brown bean sauce 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper)

Sauce:

1 cup chicken broth

1 tsp. cornstarch

1 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. sesame oil

(Optional vegetable garnish blanched bean sprouts julienne cucumber)

Preparation:

----Boil the noodles until just tender – about 4 minutes.

----Drain. Mix with a little oil and keep warm.

----Mince the garlic and have ready.

----Pour sherry in a small cup and have ready.

----Chop scallions and have ready.

----Combine seasoning sauce in a cup.

----Combine sauce in a cup.

Cooking:

Heat a wok. Add oil and heat.

Add garlic and stir till aromatic. Don’t burn

Add pork and break up while browning until all pink is gone and pork is somewhat dry.

Add sherry and mix in.

Add scallions and mix again.

Add the seasoning sauce mix and stir well.

Stir the sauce to loosen the cornstarch and add to the wok.

Stir until all is smooth, thick, and bubbly.

Place warmed noodles on a serving platter, pour sauce over and serve.

Optional vegetable garnish may be placed on top.