Stir-Fried Two Noodles (Hokkien Mee)

• Stephen Ceideburg
• 1 c Water
• 1 c Basic Chicken Stock
• 1 tb Light or dark soy sauce
• 1/2 lb Pork shoulder, in one piece
• 1/4 lb Squid, cleaned and cut up
• 1/4 lb Raw shrimp in the shell
• 2 tb Oil or lard
• 3 Unpeeled cloves garlic, crushed
• 6 oz Thin egg noodles, boiled, drained, and tossed in a
• 1 tb Oil
• 4 oz Thick rice sticks (see Note), soaked and drained
• 2 c Bean sprouts
• 1/4 c Chinese chives or garlic chives, cut into 1-inch lengths

Instructions

1. 1

   This is a favorite street snack among the Chinese in many Southeast Asian cities.

2. 2

   Hokkien is the local pronunciation of Fujian (Fukien) province in southeast China, the origin of many Chinese emigrants over the years.

3. 3

   In a typical noodle-vendor's stand, the pork and shellfish are cooked in a stock that simmers for hours, picking up more flavor all the time.

4. 4

   In this home version, the extra flavor comes from reducing the stock after cooking the meats.

5. 5

   In a small saucepan combine water, stock, soy sauce, and pork.

6. 6

   Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until meat is tender.

7. 7

   Remove meat and set aside.

8. 8

   Return stock to a boil.

9. 9

   Add squid and cook 30 seconds.

10. 10

    Remove and set aside.

11. 11

    Cook shrimp 2 to 3 minutes.

12. 12

    Drain and set aside, reserving stock.

13. 13

    Peel shrimp and devein if necessary. (For additional flavor, add shrimp shells to stock and simmer 10 minutes longer.) 2.

14. 14

    Bring stock to a boil and reduce by half.

15. 15

    Strain stock. (The recipe may be prepared to this point several hours ahead.) Serves 4 with other dishes.

16. 16

    Note: The authentic rice noodle for this dish is a thicker rice stick called laifen in China and pancit luglug in the Phil- ippines, but ordinary thin rice sticks may be used.