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Stir-Fried Udon with Pork and Shrimp

Udon noodles are generally made with softer wheat than Italian pasta, giving them a more tender texture. You can find them at Japanese markets and many supermarkets. Like Chinese noodles, they’re great stir-fried. And, as in any stir-fry, you can substitute for the pork, shrimp, or vegetables if you like.

Ingredients

makes 4 servings

Salt and black pepper to taste
3/4 pound udon noodles
1/4 cup peanut or neutral oil, like corn or grapeseed
10 scallions, trimmed and roughly chopped
1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and chopped
1/2 pound finely chopped boneless pork
10 shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and discarded (or reserved for stock), caps sliced
1 cup bean sprouts
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock, preferably homemade (page 160 or 162), or noodle-cooking liquid
1/4 cup good-quality soy sauce, or more to taste
1/4 cup bonito flakes, optional
  1. Step 1

    Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Meanwhile, prepare the other ingredients. Cook the noodles in the boiling water until just tender but not at all mushy. Drain, reserving some of the cooking liquid if you have no stock. Rinse and drain again.

    Step 2

    Put half the oil in a large skillet or wok, preferably nonstick, over medium-high heat. A minute later, add the scallions and cook, stirring, until they begin to wilt, less than a minute. Remove with a slotted spoon. Add the shrimp and pork and cook, stirring, until the shrimp turn pink and the pork loses its color, 3 or 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and add to the scallions.

    Step 3

    Add the remaining oil to the skillet, followed by the shiitakes. When they begin to wilt, after about 5 minutes, add the bean sprouts and noodles. Turn the heat to high and toss a few times, then add the cooked ingredients and toss to blend. Add the stock and soy sauce, then taste and adjust the seasoning.

    Step 4

    Serve in bowls or on plates garnished, if you like, with the bonito.

The Best Recipes in the Worldby Mark Bittman. © 2005 by Mark Bittman. Published by Broadway Books. All Rights Reserved. MARK BITTMAN is the author of the blockbusterThe Best Recipes in the World(Broadway, 2005) and the classic bestsellerHow to Cook Everything, which has sold more than one million copies. He is also the coauthor, with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, ofSimple to SpectacularandJean-Georges: Cooking at Home with a Four-Star Chef.Mr. Bittman is a prolific writer, makes frequent appearances on radio and television, and is the host of The Best Recipes in the World, a 13-part series on public television. He lives in New York and Connecticut.
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