Name: Quick and Delicious Shanghai Fried Noodles
Ingredients: 1 lb fresh wheat noodles (or udon): The star ingredient, fresh noodles offer an appealing chewy texture, staying perfectly al dente when stir-fried.; ½ lb turkey bacon: This ingredient provides a savory, smoky flavor that enhances the entire dish. It’s a leaner alternative to pork bacon.; 3 cups chopped Napa cabbage: Napa cabbage contributes a refreshing crunch and mild sweetness, complementing the savory elements.; ½ cup sliced shiitake mushrooms: Adding umami depth, shiitake mushrooms are known for their rich flavor and unique texture when cooked.; 1 cup sliced green onions: Green onions impart a fresh oniony bite that boosts the overall flavor profile.; 3 cloves minced garlic: Essential for a flavor burst, garlic enhances the aroma and richness of the dish.; 2 tbsp vegetable oil: This oil is used for frying and helps in achieving that perfect, slightly crispy texture while maintaining moisture.; 2 tsp soy sauce: Adds saltiness and umami.; 2 tsp cornstarch: Helps create a crispy texture on the turkey bacon.; 1 tbsp vegetable oil: Assists in the even cooking of turkey bacon.; 1 tsp Shaoxing wine (or Dry Sherry): A key flavoring agent, bringing depth to the marinade.; ⅛ tsp white pepper: Offers a subtle heat and differentiates the flavor.; 2 tbsp dark soy sauce: Provides a deep color and rich flavor.; 1 tbsp regular soy sauce: Adds saltiness, enhancing the other flavors.; 1 tbsp oyster sauce: Rounded flavor that ties the dish together.; 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar (or rice vinegar): Brings acidity and balances the dish.; ½ tbsp Shaoxing wine (or Dry Sherry): For that extra depth of flavor.; 1 tsp sugar: A hint of sweetness to balance the savoriness.; 1 tsp sesame oil (optional): Offers a nutty note that elevates the dish.; ½ tbsp cornstarch: Acts as a thickening agent for a silky sauce.; ½ cup unsalted chicken stock: For moisture and body to the sauce.

Description

Quick and Delicious Shanghai Fried Noodles: savory stir-fried noodles with vegetables and your choice of protein for a flavorful, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb fresh wheat noodles (or udon): The star ingredient, fresh noodles offer an appealing chewy texture, staying perfectly al dente when stir-fried.
½ lb turkey bacon: This ingredient provides a savory, smoky flavor that enhances the entire dish. It’s a leaner alternative to pork bacon.
3 cups chopped Napa cabbage: Napa cabbage contributes a refreshing crunch and mild sweetness, complementing the savory elements.
½ cup sliced shiitake mushrooms: Adding umami depth, shiitake mushrooms are known for their rich flavor and unique texture when cooked.
1 cup sliced green onions: Green onions impart a fresh oniony bite that boosts the overall flavor profile.
3 cloves minced garlic: Essential for a flavor burst, garlic enhances the aroma and richness of the dish.
2 tbsp vegetable oil: This oil is used for frying and helps in achieving that perfect, slightly crispy texture while maintaining moisture.

For the marinating and sauce, we will use:

Turkey Bacon Marinade

2 tsp soy sauce: Adds saltiness and umami.
2 tsp cornstarch: Helps create a crispy texture on the turkey bacon.
1 tbsp vegetable oil: Assists in the even cooking of turkey bacon.
1 tsp Shaoxing wine (or Dry Sherry): A key flavoring agent, bringing depth to the marinade.
⅛ tsp white pepper: Offers a subtle heat and differentiates the flavor.

Noodle Sauce

2 tbsp dark soy sauce: Provides a deep color and rich flavor.
1 tbsp regular soy sauce: Adds saltiness, enhancing the other flavors.
1 tbsp oyster sauce: Rounded flavor that ties the dish together.
1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar (or rice vinegar): Brings acidity and balances the dish.
½ tbsp Shaoxing wine (or Dry Sherry): For that extra depth of flavor.
1 tsp sugar: A hint of sweetness to balance the savoriness.
1 tsp sesame oil (optional): Offers a nutty note that elevates the dish.
½ tbsp cornstarch: Acts as a thickening agent for a silky sauce.
½ cup unsalted chicken stock: For moisture and body to the sauce.

Instructions

Prepare the turkey bacon: Slice the turkey bacon into 1 cm pieces. Marinate in a mixture of 2 tsp soy sauce, 2 tsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tsp Shaoxing wine, and ⅛ tsp white pepper for 20 minutes. This step enriches the bacon with flavor while ensuring a crispy finish.
Combine noodle sauce ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tbsp regular soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar, ½ tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp sesame oil, ½ tbsp cornstarch, and ½ cup unsalted chicken stock. This sauce will coat your noodles perfectly.
Blanch the noodles: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Blanch 1 lb fresh wheat noodles for 2 minutes, then strain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. This will also keep the noodles from sticking together.
Cook the turkey bacon: In a hot pan or wok, add 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Add the minced 3 cloves garlic and the marinated turkey bacon. Stir-fry until the bacon is cooked and slightly crispy, approximately 3-5 minutes.
Add the vegetables: Toss in the chopped 3 cups Napa cabbage, sliced ½ cup shiitake mushrooms, and 1 cup sliced green onions. Stir-fry until the vegetables are wilted and tender, around 4 minutes.
Combine noodles and sauce: Now, add the blanched noodles to the pan along with the prepared noodle sauce. Stir-fry until the noodles are evenly coated and the sauce thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
Serve: Once everything is well-mixed and heated through, remove from heat. Serve the Shanghai Fried Noodles immediately, garnished with extra green onions or sesame seeds if desired.