Jia Jiang Mian Food

JAJANGMYEON (NOODLES IN A BLACK BEAN SAUCE)

Steps:

• Have a pot of water ready to cook the noodles. Turn the heat on when you start cooking the meat. This way you will have the boiling water ready, for cooking the noodles, by the time the sauce is done.
• Prepare the pork and vegetables by cutting them into 1/2 - 3/4 inch cubes. Marinate the pork with a tablespoon of rice wine (or mirin), ginger, salt and pepper while preparing the vegetables.
• Add the black bean paste to a small saucepan with the oil, sugar, and the optional oyster sauce. Fry it over medium heat for 2 - 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Heat a large pan with 2 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium high heat. Add the pork and stir fry until no longer pink, adding a tablespoon of soy sauce half way through.
• Add the onion and cook until soft, stirring occasionally.
• Add the cabbage and zucchini and continue to stir fry until vegetables are softened.
• Stir in the black bean paste and mix everything together until all the meat and vegetables are coated well with the paste.
• Mix everything together until all the meat and vegetables are coated well with the paste. If you like ganjjajang, you can stop here and skip the next two steps. See note.
• Pour in the stock (or water) and bring it to a boil. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Stir in the starch slurry and cook briefly until the sauce is thickened. Add more sugar to taste.
• Add the noodles in the boiling water. Cook according to the package instructions and drain. Do not overcook. The noodles should have a firm bite to them (al dente). Place a serving size of noodles in each bowl. Spoon the sauce over the noodles and garnish with the optional cucumber matchsticks. Alternatively, you can serve over cooked rice.

BEIJING "FRIED SAUCE" NOODLES - ZHA JIANG MIAN

Steps:

• Marinate the pork with the following for 15 minutes: ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, ½ teaspoon oil, 1/8 teaspoon white pepper.
• Heat a tablespoon oil in your wok over medium heat and add the pork fat (if using). Cook for 1 minute to render the fat down, and add the marinated ground pork to the wok. Cook for a minute to brown it, and then add the ginger, garlic, and mushrooms. Stir fry everything together for another 2-3 minutes.
• Add the sweet bean sauce, ground bean sauce, dark soy sauce, and water, stirring everything together well. Lower the heat and cover the wok. Simmer the sauce for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• While that's happening, cook the noodles according to the package directions. Mix with the sauce and toss with the julienned carrots, cucumbers, and scallions. This amount of sauce should be good for 4 servings.

1-HOUR NOODLES (ZHA JIANG MIAN) RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• In a medium pan, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, the ginger, and shallot and sauté until lightly aromatic, 1-2 minutes. Add the ground pork to the pan and cook, undisturbed, until golden brown, 3-5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small pan, heat another tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-low heat. Add the soy bean paste and sweet bean sauce and cook until caramelized, 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn.
• Add the caramelized bean paste mixture to the ground pork mixture and stir to combine. Add the soy sauce and cook for another 30 seconds to incorporate. Add the cornstarch slurry, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 15 minutes, adding a few tablespoons of water at a time as needed to keep the mixture at a simmer.
• Meanwhile, heat a small pan over low heat. Add the remaining teaspoon of vegetable oil, then pour in the egg and tilt the pan to spread in a thin layer. Cook until the top is just set, then remove the egg crepe from the pan. Let cool, then thinly slice.
• Cook the noodles according to the package instructions, then drain.
• Place the cooked noodles in a serving bowl and top with the ground pork mixture. Garnish with the egg crepe strips, cucumber, cilantro, and remaining teaspoon of minced garlic.
• Enjoy!