N is for Noodles

When I first graduated from university, I bought a little cookbook called "Chinese Meatless Cooking."  I have used it a ton of times and especially like this noodle recipe.  It is called "Szechuan-spicy Noodles or Dan-Dan Mein."  This has a good bite to it and the a nice full flavour.  Be warned that once you start eating these noodles, it is really hard to stop.


This is my version of that recipe:

Szechuan-spicy Noodles or Dan-Dan Mein

3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp of minced garlic...or more is good
1 tsp of sambal oelek or chili paste (I use either, depending what I have on hand)
1 tbsp olive oil
 1/2 pkg  of Chinese noodles - I use the ones that come 6 to a pack - use 3 squares

Combine all the ingredients, except the noodles, in a small bowl or measuring cup.  Set aside.

Boil water.  Add noodles for about 2 minutes max.

Drain and put into large bowl.  Pour sauce on top and mix well.

Serve hot or cold.  Delicious either way.



I have made this recipe for years.  As long as you keep the proportions reasonably close it will be fine.  I use either rice vinegar or plain white vinegar interchangeably and both are fine. The sesame oil is important to the flavour and I wouldn't leave it out.

Enjoy!

Lasagne and then some more Lasagne!

I am not a huge pasta person but I love lasagne. It is one of the few pastas that I admit to really liking. When I make my lasagne, I make the sauce from scratch - fresh tomatoes, blenderized zucchini, basil, onions and celery from my garden, some wine and hamburger from a friend's farm. I use regular noodles so they will absorb any extra moisture from the sauce and I don't pre-cook them - I find it saves me a ton of work omitting that step and there is no difference in taste or texture. I have no real recipe - I just throw everything into a pot, cook it down till it is thick, delicious and smells divine.

I made a huge batch of sauce the other evening after work. It was so cold out I had to do something that would warm us up, even if it was just psychologically. I phoned my oldest daughter and told her to bring some pans over - that I was making lasagne! Making only one is a waste of time if you can make more than one - right? I think so anyway. So I made six lovely lasagne; first a layer of sauce, then a layer of noodles, layer of cheesy white sauce, layer of sauce, some parmesan cheese, layer of noodles - you get the picture. After they were all done, I wrapped them with some parchment paper and slid them into some plastic bags for freezing. So good. My version of fast food for busy days. My daughter was delighted to take some home for her freezer as well.

What's not to like about all that lasagne just waiting to be eaten, especially since it can't blow a cork!