Zha Jiang Mian (炸醬麵)

Zha Jiang Mian (literally translates to "fried sauce noodles") is a northern Chinese dish consisting of noodles topped with a mixture of ground pork stir-fried with fermented soybean paste. I have long wanted to try it ever since I saw the recipe on Sunday Nite Dinner. Anything with noodles and spicy meat sauce is the ultimate comfort food for me.

At first I wasn't sure what "bean sauce" is and where to find it, but wiki educated me that chili bean sauce (辣豆瓣酱), which I have it at home, can be used as a substitute.

The noodles turned out wonderful! Fulfilling, homey, and spicy!

I didn't have any cucumbers, carrots, or bean sprouts available for garnish, but I cooked a side of bok choy to get our veggies for the day. Mmmm....will make it again soon.

Zha Jiang Mian (Chinese Spaghetti):
(recipe adapted from Sunday Nite Dinner)

Marinade:
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 tsp corn starch
- a splash of rice wine

- 1.5 tbsp bean sauce (I used chili bean sauce)
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1/2 tbsp chili garlic sauce (optional)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1.5 tbsp rice wine
- 2 tbsp chicken broth
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 1 stalk green onions, minced
- noodles (any kind that you like)

Garnish:
- English cucumber, julienned (optional)
- carrots, julienned (optional)
- bean sprouts (optional)

1. Combine pork, corn starch, and rice wine in a small bowl and mix well. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the bean sauce, hoisin, chili garlic sauce, and soy sauce. Set aside.
3. Heat a large pan over high heat. Add oil and swirl to coat. Toss in garlic and ginger. Cook until fragrant, about 10-15 seconds.
4. Add pork, stir constantly to break apart meat. Cook until just a bit of pink remains and it begins to brown, about 4-5 minutes. Add rice wine and stir for a few seconds.
5. Pour in sauce and mix thoroughly with pork. Add chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
6. Add green onions and toss to combine well. Serve pork over noodles and garnish with cucumber, carrots, and bean sprouts.