| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 520 | 12g | 2g | 85g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 8g | 6g | 20g | 2g |
Why I Love Chinese Braised Noodles with Broad Beans
As a fusion food enthusiast, I am always excited when I stumble upon (or create myself!) a recipe that fuses two vastly distinct cultures, one that is close to my heart and another that I have grown to adore. This lyrical culinary amalgam of adding spice and savor of Indian food with the depth and flair of Chinese cuisine is what makes my recipe of ‘Braised Noodles with Broad Beans’ truly special.
A Fusion Tale
Being a child of Indian immigrants in California, my culinary choices have been flavored by a unique blend of West Coast exclusivity and the homely, spicy essence of Gujarati cuisine since the beginning. It is this very confluence of cultural richness that led me to explore this Chinese recipe that surprisingly resonated with the flavors of my familial upbringing.
The Braised Noodles with Broad Beans, in its essence, brings to the fore the vibrant flavors of Asia – combining the hearty warmth of noodles, the earthy tang of broad beans and an array of spices and sauces to create something that is comfort food in every sense of the word. Much similar to a Gujarati Kadhi, this dish brings out a lovely symphony of sour, sweet and spicy.
The Inspiration
And while we are at it, it is only fair that I tip my hat to Chef Lee Yeon Bok, the Korean-Chinese culinary genius who sparked in me a love for fusing ‘noodles’ – a staple I grew up eating luxuriously – with foreign flavors. The result was an Indian-Chinese blend so divine, that my husband Faisal ended up joking that I had found ‘the way to a man’s heart’ once again!
Fit for Any Palate
The recipe itself is straightforward, with a sweet undertone brought by brown sugar and a mild heat courtesy of the red chili. The braised noodles are plump and juicy, enveloped in a richly flavored broad bean sauce. They marry beautifully with the crunch of spring onions and an extra zing from the cilantro garnish. A sprinkle of salt serves to highlight these flavors, making the dish a perfect fit for all palettes.
It pairs wonderfully with a range of dishes – from a simple Chicken Broth with Ginger to a luxurious Crispy Tofu with Cashews. Honestly, though, the noodles are so fulfilling on their own, you may not need much else.
So, whether you are looking to indulge in comfort food on a lazy Sunday afternoon or just want to explore the unchartered territories of fusion food, this recipe of ‘Braised Noodles with Broad Beans’ promises to satisfy your taste buds and how!
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups of fresh broad beans
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 slice of ginger, minced
- 1 red chili, chopped
- 1/2 cup of light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- 1/2 cup of Chinese cooking wine
- 2 cups of chicken stock
- 4 spring onions, chopped
- 2 pounds of fresh Chinese noodles
- Salt, to taste
- 1/2 cup of chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
Method
Step One
Start by heating the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once heated, add the minced garlic, minced ginger, and chopped red chili to the pan. Stir-fry these ingredients until they turn aromatic.
Step Two
Add the 2 cups of fresh broad beans to the pan and stir-fry them with the garlic, ginger, and chili for around 2 minutes until the beans start to become tender.
Step Three
Next up is to add in the light soy sauce, brown sugar, Chinese cooking wine, and the chicken stock to the pan. Mix all these together and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let everything simmer for about 10 minutes.
Step Four
While the broad beans are simmering, take this time to cook the Chinese noodles. Follow the package instructions for cooking these, then drain them well and set them aside until needed.
Step Five
After the broad beans have finished simmering, uncover the pan and add in the cooked noodles. Also add the chopped spring onions and your desired amount of salt. Toss everything together to ensure that the noodles are well coated in the sauce and the ingredients are well distributed.
Step Six
Serve the braised noodles while they are still hot. Sprinkle each serving with a generous amount of the chopped fresh cilantro to garnish. Enjoy your Braised Noodles with Broad Beans!
