Quick Meal - Lou Shu Fen (老鼠粉)

A note on the name of the noodle as it is called by other names elsewhere in Chinatown. Locally it is literally called "rat's noodle." Its name is quite disgusting to be called that just because it is shaped like a rat's tail, as you know this animal is associated with disease and dirtiness. In Hong Kong or Taiwan, it is called "Yin Zhen Fen" (or Silver Needle Noodle; 银针粉 ) as they reckon this noodle looks like "silver needle" ;-). Not a good name either. Another name is Short Rice Noodle(短米粉),I think, is more appropriately named as this is made from rice and it is cut shorter compared to other types of Chinese rice noodles which are normally long! Shown below is a sample of the short rice noodles.


Ingredients for 4 servings:
Meat(minced): 200 gm (chicken or pork)
- marinate with a tbsp light soy sauce, a tsp corn flour, 1/2 tbsp sesame; and set aside for a few minutes.
Red shallots (or small onions): medium size (or about 40 g)
Garlic: about 30 g
Tomato: 1 medium size
Dark soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
Cooking oil: 2 tablespoon

Short Rice Noodle: 1 kg or more

Chicken stock: 4 bowls
some green onions and mint leaves
salt and pepper to taste

Method:
(1). Heat up a non-stick pan, add in oil, garlic and red shallot, fry till fragrant. Add in the marinated meat, slice tomato, stir fry for a minute; add in dark soy sauce; and stir fry until cooked. Set aside.


(2). Heat up 4 bowls of chicken stock until it boils. Add in salt and pepper to taste.

(3). Heat up a pot of water (about 2 litre). When boiling, add in the noodle. Then switch off the fire in order not to overcook the noodles. Drain and dish out to the serving bowls.

(4). Finally, dish out the cooked marinate meat to each bowl; and ladle the soup as prepared in (2). Garnish each with spring onions and mint leaves. Serve hot.



Cheers!