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Satay beef instant noodles
Sa dei ngau yuk min (沙嗲牛肉麵): Hong Kong cha chaan teng noodles with satay beef
In Hong Kong's cha chaan teng diners, the morning set often means a bowl of instant noodles in clear broth topped with tender beef in a sweet, peanutty satay sauce, eaten with a buttered bun and a cup of milk tea. Restaurants use a jarred Chinese satay paste; this quick home sauce gets close with peanut butter and curry powder. The usual mistake is putting cold beef in a crowded pan, which makes it stew grey; fry it hot and fast in one layer. Chef's tip: a pinch of bicarbonate of soda in the marinade makes the beef silky and tender, the cha chaan teng way.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
For the beef
- 7 oz beef rump or flank steakthinly sliced across the grain
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- 1 pinch bicarbonate of soda
- 1 tsp cornflour
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
For the satay sauce
- 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter
- 1 tsp mild curry powder
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp chilli oil
- 4 tbsp water
- 1 shallotfinely chopped
For the noodles
- 2 blocks instant noodlesseasoning sachets discarded
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 3 ½ oz choy sum or pak choi
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Toss 7 oz beef rump or flank steak with 1 tsp light soy sauce, 1 pinch bicarbonate of soda and 1 tsp cornflour and leave in the fridge for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Mix 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter, 1 tsp mild curry powder, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tsp chilli oil and 4 tbsp water until smooth.
Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a frying pan over a high heat. Lay the beef in one layer and fry for 1 minute a side until browned with no red showing. Push aside, fry 1 shallot for 30 seconds, then pour in the satay mix and toss for 1 minute until the sauce is glossy and coats the beef.
3 minStep 4: Bring 3 cups chicken stock to the boil. Cook 2 blocks instant noodles in plain boiling water for 2 minutes, drain (this keeps the broth clear) and divide between bowls. Blanch 3 ½ oz choy sum or pak choi in the stock for 1 minute.
3 minStep 5: Pour the hot stock over the noodles, add the greens and pile the satay beef on top. Serve at once.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 620 kcal
- Protein
- 30 g
- Carbs
- 58 g
- Fat
- 30 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does satay beef instant noodles take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of light soy sauce?
- Tamari, same amount (gluten free).
- What can I use instead of bicarbonate of soda?
- Baking powder, three times the amount (the bake may taste slightly different).
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