TAIWAN VERMICELLI RECIPES

Steps:

• Cover the rice vermicelli with cold water and soak for 30 mins. Rinse the dried shrimp and mushrooms, then tip into separate heatproof bowls. Cover the shrimp with 250ml boiling water from the kettle, and the mushrooms with 300ml. Set aside to soak for 20 mins. Meanwhile, fill a large wok or pot with 2 litres water and bring to a simmer over a medium-high heat. Add the cabbage and celery, and cook, stirring, for 1 min. Add the beansprouts, then turn off the heat and leave for 30 seconds. Drain and set aside. Dry the wok with kitchen paper.
• Drain the dried shrimp, reserving the liquid, and set aside. Squeeze the water from the mushrooms, pouring it into the reserved soaking liquid from the dried shrimp. Cut up the mushroom stems and thinly slice the caps. If the mushrooms are very large, slice in half horizontally, then thinly slice. You should have around 450ml of reserved liquid from the mushrooms and shrimp. If you have less, top up with water or vegetable stock.
• Set the wok over a medium-high heat, add 1 tbsp oil and heat until slightly glistening, about 1 min. Cook the pork belly undisturbed for 30 seconds, then stir-fry for about 30 seconds more. Add the carrots and stir-fry for another 30 seconds, then drizzle in another 2 tbsp oil and add the rehydrated mushrooms, dried shrimp, shallots and garlic. Continue to cook until fragrant, about 2-3 min.
• Splash the soy sauce around the side of the wok in a half-circle; you should hear it sizzle. Mix it into the other ingredients until everything is evenly coloured and smells slightly nutty and caramelised. Reduce the heat slightly if needed.
• Pour in two-thirds of the reserved soaking liquid, add ½ tsp of salt, the sugar and white pepper. Reduce the heat to low and taste for seasoning – the broth needs to be slightly salty, so add an additional ½ tsp salt if needed.
• Drain the rice noodles and add to the wok, gently tossing with a pair of chopsticks and spatula. Lift the noodles up to mid-air to loosen. Be gentle, and try not to break the noodles. Add the rest of the soaking liquid, tossing until all the noodles are coloured. The noodles are ready when al dente. Turn up the heat to medium and add the cabbage and celery mixture. Cook, covered and undisturbed, for 2 mins.
• Remove the lid and toss with the noodles again. Turn the heat to high and lift the noodles up high again to loosen; keep tossing, checking if there is liquid in the base of the wok. Once all the liquid has evaporated, turn off the heat, add the chives and cover for 1 min.
• Toss again, then tip onto a large serving platter. Garnish with crispy shallots and serve with black vinegar on the side for guests to pour on, if you like.

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with about 6 quarts (5 ½ L) of water and add the beef shank, 3 scallions, 5 slices of ginger, and 3 star anise pods. Cover, bring to a boil over high heat, and cook for 5 minutes.
• Remove the meat from the pot, rinse in cold water, and cut into thick slices. Discard the cooking liquid.
• In a wok or large pan over medium-high heat, pour in the vegetable oil and add the remaining 3 scallions, 3 ginger slices, the garlic, red chiles, remaining 3 star anise pods, the onion, rock sugar, and spicy bean paste. Cook until the onions start to become translucent.
• Add the sliced beef.
• Add the dark soy sauce, for color, stir, then add the rice wine.
• Pour in the light soy sauce, for flavor, then add the tomatoes. Stir fry for 8-10 minutes.
• Fill the same large pot about a quarter of the way with water and heat over medium-high heat. Add the stir-fried meat, vegetables, and cooking liquid.
• Add more water until the meat is just covered, then add the white pepper, salt, and bay leaves. Cover and reduce the heat to low and simmer for at least 2 hours, until the meat becomes tender. Remove the bay leaves and star anise before serving.
• Bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat and cook the flour noodles according to the package instructions. Remove the noodles from the water.
• Add the bok choy to the boiling water. Cook for 3 minutes, then remove.
• To assemble the soup, place a generous amount of noodles in the bottom of a bowl. Then, add bok choy, meat, and broth. Garnish with scallions, cilantro, and red chilies.
• Enjoy!