Thai fried noodles (2)
4 servings
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient | |
|---|---|---|
| Asian rice noodles cut about 1/8 inch wide, OR- | ||
| 1 | pounds | Flat rice noodles (fresh or dried) | 
| ¾ | cup | Fish sauce; -OR- Soy sauce | 
| 4 | teaspoons | Rice wine vinegar OR- distilled white vinegar | 
| 2 | tablespoons | Sugar | 
| 4 | teaspoons | High-quality paprika; -OR- Catsup or Tomato paste | 
| ½ | cup | Vegetable oil OR more if needed | 
| 8 | ounces | Boneless pork OR- boned & skinned chicken cut into very small pieces | 
| 2 | tablespoons | Minced or pressed garlic | 
| 2 | teaspoons | Ground dried red hot chili, OR- | 
| 1 | tablespoon | Minced fresh hot chile | 
| 4 | Eggs; lightly beaten | |
| 8 | ounces | Medium-sized shrimp shelled and deveined, tails left intact | 
| 10 | ounces | Fresh bean sprouts | 
| 3 | Green onions; thinly sliced | |
| ½ | cup | Chopped dry-roasted peanuts (unsalted) | 
| ¼ | cup | Chopped fresh cilantro | 
| Finely minced dried shrimp | ||
| Fresh cilantro sprigs | ||
| Lemon or lime wedges | ||
Directions
FOR GARNISH
In a bowl, cover the noodles in lukewarm water and let stand to soften, about 15 minutes for fresh noodles or about 30 minutes for dry noodles. Drain and cut into 6-inch lengths, if desired.  Set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, and paprika, catsup, or tomato paste.  Set aside. 
Heat a wok or saute pan over high heat.  Add the oil and swirl to coat the pan.  Add the pork or chicken, garlic, and chili and stir-fry for 1 minute. Stir in the drained noodles and the reserved fish sauce mixture and stir-fry about 30 seconds.  Push the noodles to one side, pour in about a tablespoon more oil, if necessary, and add the eggs; cook just until slightly set, then break them up.  Add the shrimp and stir-fry just until they turn pink.  Add most of the bean sprouts, the green onion, and ¼ cup of the peanuts and stir-fry until the sprouts and onions are crisp-tender, 1 to 2 minutes.  Remove from the heat and transfer to a serving plate. 
Sprinkle with the chopped cilantro, remaining ¼ cup peanuts, and dried shrimp.  Garnish with the remaining bean sprouts, cilantro sprigs, and lemon or lime wedges, and serve immediately.  Diners squeeze lemon or lime juice to taste. 
Serves 8 as a pasta course, or 4 as a main course From: stigle@... (Sue Stigleman)