ZHAJIANG NOODLE RECIPES

Steps:

• Put a large pot of water on to boil.
• Heat oil in a large flat-bottom wok over high heat. Add pork; cook, breaking up large pieces, until mostly cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until the pork is no longer pink and the onion is soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in black bean paste; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add rice wine; cook, scraping up any browned bits, until the liquid has evaporated, about 30 seconds. Stir in reduced-sodium soy sauce, dark soy sauce, white pepper, tofu and 2 cups water. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
• Whisk cornstarch and the remaining 1/4 cup water in a bowl. Add to the pan; cook, stirring, until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions. Drain; toss gently with the sauce to combine. Top with cucumbers and scallions.

Steps:

• Add around 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in pan and fry the diced pork until withered and slightly browned. This is the process why we say it is “fried” sauce. Pour in Chinese cooking wine for a more pure taste. Move the pork to the edges of the pan, add garlic and ginger, fry over slow fire until aromatic. Slow down the fire, otherwise the ginger and garlic might be burnt.
• Pour in our mixed sauce, dark soy sauce and let it simmer for 15 minutes over slowest fire. Mix in sugar. If necessary, turn up the fire and thicken the sauce slightly.
• Blanch shredded carrot for around 30 seconds and cook the noodles according to the instruction. Top the sauce and serve immediately. Since this is a dry-mixed noodle dish, I high recommend matching it with a warm soup.