CHILLI GARLIC NOODLES

For those who love their noodles spicy! This preparation is a must for the chilli and garlic lovers and the fact that it is really simple to make, makes it an all time favourite. Serve these with the Stir Fried Chinese Greens recipe for a soothing and colourful accompaniment.

Preparation Time : 10 mins.
Cooking Time : 5 mins.

Serves 4.

Ingredients

2 cups boiled noodles
¼ cup spring onion greens, chopped
¼ teaspoon Ajinomoto powder (optional)
¼ cup Schezuan sauce
1 tablespoon chilli oil
1 tablespoon oil
salt to taste

Method

1. Heat the oil thoroughly in a large wok or pan.
2. Add the spring onion greens, Ajinomoto, noodles, Schezuan sauce and salt and sauté over a high flame for a few seconds.
3. Pour the chilli oil on top and toss well.
4. Serve hot.

SCHEZUAN SAUCE (CHINESE)
A treat for spice lovers! Use the variety of chillies like Kashmiri or Begdi which are rich in colour and not very spicy.

Cooking Time : 5 mins.
Preparation Time : 5 mins.
Makes 3/4 cup.

Ingredients

12 to 15 dry red chillies, soaked in warm water
2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
6 tablespoons white vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons sesame (til) oil
1 teaspoon salt

Method
1. Drain out all the water from the chillies and discard it.
2. Grind all ingredients except the oil in a blender to a fine paste. Keep aside.
3. Heat the oil to smoking point and pour over the chilli-garlic paste. Mix well, allow it to cool and store refrigerated in an air-tight container.
4. Use as a dipping sauce.

Tips
Select bright red chillies for a rich flavoured sauce.

CHILLI OIL (CHINESE)
A simple way of flavouring oil to add more flavours to our cooking. Chillies add a warm, pungent aroma to the oil.

Cooking Time : 5 mins.
Preparation Time : 5 mins.
Makes 1 cup.

Ingredients

15 to 20 dry red chillies
1 cup oil

Method

1. Break the red chillies into big pieces.
2. Heat the oil to smoking point, add the chillies and switch off the gas.
3. Cover and keep aside for 2 hours. Strain and store the oil in a bottle, discarding the chillies. Use as required.

BOILED NOODLES (CHINESE)

The Chinese believe that every meal should contain an equal proportion of starch and vegetables. One starch group they rely on to provide this harmonious dietary balance is noodles.
Here again it's a simple technique and one has to just cook the noodles correctly to make a great noodle dish.

Preparation Time : 5 mins
Cooking Time : 10 mins.
Makes 2 cups.

Ingredients

½ packet (100 grams) Chinese noodles
2 tablespoons oil
salt to taste

Method

1. Boil water and add 1 tablespoon oil and salt.
2. Add the noodles, allow the water to come to a boil, and then simmer till the noodles are cooked.
3. Remove from the fire and drain out all the water.
4. Pour some cold water on the noodles to arrest further cooking.
5. Let all the water drain out and ensure that the noodles do not contain any moisture.
6. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and mix lightly. This will prevent the noodles from sticking together. Use as required.

Tips
When the noodles are cooked they will rise to the top.