Beijing Noodles with Meat Sauce

Beijing Noodles
with Meat Sauce

4 servings

Beijing Noodles with Meat Sauce Some claim this simple, ancient noodle dish was the original spaghetti with meat sauce. In fact, it is delicious made with spaghetti.

Before Cooking:
Stir together well in a small bowl:
1/2 cup Chinese black bean sauce
2 tablespoons sugar

Place on a saucer or small plate:
1/2 cup 2-inch pieces scallion

Have ready:
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

To Cook:
Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat.

When hot, pour in:
3 tablespoons peanut oil

Swirl around the wok until very hot hut not smoking.

Add:
1 pound ground pork.

Break up, stir well, and cook until the pork is well separated and no longer pink but not browned. Add the bean sauce mixture. Stir well. Add the scallions and sesame oil. Stir well. Remove the wok from the heat.

While cooking the pork, bring to a rolling boil in a large pot:
4 to 4-1/2 quarts water

Add:
1 pound fresh Chinese egg noodles or dried spaghetti

Cook until softened. Drain and pour into a large howl. If necessary, briefly reheat the meat sauce. Pour over the noodles and stir together well. Serve immediately.

To Serve:
Stir together in each of 4 small bowls:
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon chili oil

Place on the table to be sprinkled onto individual portions to taste.

Buy the Book!

Joy of Cooking
All About Pasta & Noodles
By Irma S. Rombauer,
Marion Rombauer Becker & Ethan Becker
Simon & Schuster, Inc., October 2000
Hardback, 128 pages, $19.95
150 photographs; 100 in full color
ISBN: 0-7432-0211-2
Recipe reprinted by permission.