Fiscal Responsibility

Singapore Rice Noodles

For more than ten years, a friend and I have been cooking a Chinese New Year feast together. It is a wonderful celebration that has helped my children understand a culture different from their own. This is my signature contribution to the dinner.

Roasted Pork:
3 lbs. pork ribs
1/4 Cup soy sauce
2 TB honey
2 TB sugar
2 TB dry sherry
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. Chinese five spice powder
1 TB powdered ginger

Combine the soy sauce, honey, sugar, sherry, salt, five spice and ginger in a bowl and mix well. Pour the marinade into a zip-top bag. Cut the slab of ribs into sections so they fit in the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator overnight. Bake, covered, at 325° for 90 minutes-2 hours. When cool, strip the meat from the bones and shred. Set aside. This can be done ahead of time.

Prep. time: 10 minutes plus overnight marinating
Cooking time: 1 1/2-2 hours

Noodles:
1 lb. thin rice noodles (fun shee), soaked in cold water for 2 hours and drained
1 lb. cooked baby shrimp without shells
shredded pork (from above)
1 8 oz. jar small pickled cucumbers (available in Asian grocery stores and sometimes called Chinese pickles, preserved sweet melon or sweet tea pickles)
1/2 Cup scallions, julienned (about 3 scallions)
1 red bell pepper, julienned
1 small onion, julienned
2 eggs
2 TB hot curry powder
2 TB chili-garlic paste
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper

Heat a wok or frying pan to high heat. Quickly stir-fry the onion, red pepper and scallions until tender. Remove from pan. Lightly scramble the eggs in the pan and then remove. Place the noodles in the pan to heat through. Add the curry and chili paste and stir to mix. The noodles should take on a beautiful yellowish color. Add the salt and pepper and more curry and/or chili paste if you like it spicier. Add the pork, shrimp, pickled cucumbers, egg and vegetables back to the pan. Heat everything thoroughly, stirring constantly. Pass out the chopsticks and enjoy!

Prep. time: 20 minutes plus 2 hours for soaking
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Serves: 10-12

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