Panfried Egg Noodles with Chicken, Shrimp, and Vegetables
The Vietnamese repertoire also includes panfried Chinese egg noodles, which are cooked just like rice noodles and crowned with a delicious stir-fry. Full of varied flavors, textures, and color, this stir-fry pairs exceptionally well with the egg noodles. I use fresh noodles about 1/8 inch thick. Their texture is superior to dried noodles, and they offer more body than thin ones.
Recipe information
Yield
serves 2 as a main dish, or 4 to 6 with 2 or 3 other dishes
Ingredients
Marinade
Flavoring Sauce
Preparation
Step 1
Cook the egg noodles in a large pot of boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes, or until cooked but still firm. Drain, flush with cold water, and drain again. Transfer to a large plate or baking dish. Gently toss with a scant 1/2 teaspoon salt and the sesame oil, and then spread the noodles out to dry and cool. Once the noodles are cool, they are ready for panfrying. Or, you may put them in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag and refrigerate them overnight; bring them to room temperature before panfrying.
Step 2
To make the marinade, in a shallow bowl large enough to accommodate the chicken and shrimp, combine the sugar, cornstarch, white pepper, soy sauce, and sesame oil and mix well. Add the chicken and shrimp and use chopsticks to coat evenly. Set near the stove.
Step 3
To make the flavoring sauce, in a small bowl, combine the sugar, salt, fish sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and water and stir to dissolve the sugar. Set near the stove.
Step 4
Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Drop in the carrot. When the water returns to a boil, add the bok choy and cook for about 1 minute, or until the bok choy is tender and bright green. Drain the vegetables, flush with cold water, and drain again. Add the wood ear mushrooms and set near the stove. Place a plate near the stove for the holding the elements of the stir-fry as you cook them.
Step 5
To panfry the noodles, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of the canola oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the noodles and spread them out into a large, flat pancake. Add the water, cover, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the noodles have softened. Uncover and panfry the noodles, undisturbed, for 4 to 6 minutes, or until they are a nice crunchy brown on the bottom. As the noodles crisp, they will move in a solid mass when you shake the skillet handle. Use a wide spatula to turn the noodles over, or flip them over with a confident sharp jerk of the skillet handle. Dribble 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil into the pan, adding it at the rim. Fry the second side for 5 to 7 minutes. Slide the finished noodle pancake out onto a large serving plate. Use kitchen scissors to cut it into 6 to 8 wedges. If you like, put the plate of noodles in a warm oven while you stir-fry the topping.
Step 6
In a wok or large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the scallions and ginger and stir-fry for about 15 seconds, or until fragrant. Bank the scallions and ginger on one side of the pan, and then add the chicken and shrimp, spreading them out into a single layer. Let cook, undisturbed, for about 1 minute. When they start to brown, use a spatula to flip and stir-fry them, incorporating the scallions and ginger, for another 1 to 2 minutes, or until the chicken and shrimp have turned color but are still undercooked. Transfer to the plate.
Step 7
Add the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to the pan. Add the vegetables and stir-fry for about 1 minute, or until heated through. Give the flavoring sauce a stir and add it to the pan. When it begins to bubble, return the chicken and shrimp to the pan and move them around for about 1 minute to combine everything and finish cooking the chicken and shrimp. Give the cornstarch mixture a stir, add to the pan, and stir for about 30 seconds, or until the sauce is smooth and thick. Pour the topping over the noodles and serve at once.
