
Residing in New York subsequent to Chinatown, I’m blessed with fast and engaging takeout and numerous genuine Chinese language eating places. Nevertheless, I nonetheless favor the selfmade model in terms of Chinese language noodles, particularly for dishes like shrimp mei enjoyable. Right here is why – I can load up the noodles with a LOT of shrimp and greens, use much less salt and oil, and customise the dish the best way I need. Not solely does it make the dish deeply satisfying, it additionally makes it extra balanced and nourishing as a one-pan dinner.
Shrimp mei enjoyable is just like, but completely different from, Singapore Noodles, which can be a shrimp and rice vermicelli noodle dish however the latter additionally comprises char siu pork and makes use of a curry-based sauce. This dish has a clear taste and it’s lighter. The shrimp are sliced thinly in order that they prepare dinner quick and keep tremendous tender, whereas the fragrant base of ginger, scallion and oyster sauce ties all the pieces collectively superbly.


Elements
There are lots of methods to place collectively shrimp mei enjoyable, with the selection of your greens, with or with out eggs, and various kinds of sauces. Beneath is the model that I really like essentially the most.


What kind of rice vermicelli to make use of
Rice vermicelli is available in completely different styles and sizes. On the subject of stir fried mei enjoyable, my favourite model is “Jiang Males Rice Sticks”. They’re fairly skinny in dried type, however will grow to be thicker as soon as hydrated. The perfect factor about these rice noodles is, they maintain their form and keep just a little chewy even after they’re cooked at excessive warmth. You may typically discover this model in Chinese language markets and huge Asian markets.


When not accessible, it’s also possible to use Vietnamese skinny rice vermicelli. These rice noodles have a tendency to return out just a little softer, however the outcome can be nice nonetheless.
Recommendations on soaking vermicelli
Several types of rice vermicelli normally name for very completely different preparation strategies – some ask you to soak them in heat water, some require boiling. You may all the time observe the directions on the bundle if there are any. For many sorts of rice vermicelli, I discovered one of the best ways is to soak them in scorching water – not boiling water, however scorching sufficient to the touch. Soak the noodles and test on them ceaselessly, till they’ve turned tender however nonetheless have some construction, and they need to be straightforward to separate by hand. This fashion, the noodles gained’t stick collectively throughout stir frying, and gained’t be overcooked simply.
My favourite method to prep shrimp
For noodle dishes like shrimp mei enjoyable, I wish to slice the shrimp down the vein to divide it into two skinny items. It is a chopping methodology that many Chinese language eating places like to make use of, to assist the shrimp distribute extra evenly into the dish and create a greater texture. Nevertheless, should you’re quick on time or favor larger shrimp items, you possibly can skip this step as properly.


Sauce components
The sauce makes use of rooster inventory, oyster sauce, mild soy sauce and white pepper for a clear but savory style that works very properly with seafood. A contact of sugar helps carry out the flavour of the components. I added toasted sesame oil on the finish for nuttiness.
Vegetable and aromatics
I selected to make use of scallion and ginger because the aromatics, as each pair properly with seafood to carry out the delicate sweetness and umami.
For greens, I selected carrot and choy sum – each have distinction in coloration, style and texture. And naturally, you possibly can select various kinds of greens as you like. I like to recommend:
- Onion or pink onion: to interchange scallion
- Bok choy, napa cabbage, or Chinese language broccoli (sliced skinny): to interchange choy sum
- Bean sprout or candy pepper (julienned): to interchange carrot
Add some eggs
Eggs are a typical ingredient in mei enjoyable dishes, as a result of the tender texture works very properly with the silky rice vermicelli. I particularly like to make use of eggs in shrimp mei enjoyable, as a result of they pair completely with the sunshine sauce, making a satisfying texture.
My favourite method to reduce choy sum for mei enjoyable
To verify even cooking, I wish to slice the choy sum stems on a bias into skinny items, about 1/4” (6-mm) thick. Then I slice the inexperienced half into 1” (2.5-cm) thick items and separate the whites and greens. This fashion, the stems can be cooked by way of and keep crisp, whereas the greens get tender with out being overcooked. In the event you use greens similar to gai lan or bok choy, it’s also possible to use the identical chopping methodology to attain a superb outcome.


Easy methods to make
1. Scramble the eggs. I wish to warmth up a beneficiant quantity of oil actually scorching, so the eggs instantly fluff up as soon as they hit the pan. I wait till the underside browns a bit, then frivolously scramble it so the within continues to be tender earlier than eradicating the eggs from the pan. The oil fries up the sides of the eggs, making a fluffy and crispy texture and making them style nice.


2. Cook dinner the shrimp. Unfold out the shrimp with out overlapping, let prepare dinner them to sear the underside, then gently stir till simply cooked by way of. Because the shrimp are sliced thinly, they prepare dinner quick and keep very tender.


3. Cook dinner the choy sum. I used a whole lot of choy sum in my shrimp mei enjoyable, so I favor to prepare dinner it individually to sear it correctly and maintain the wok scorching. I wish to prepare dinner the stem first, as a result of it takes just a little longer to prepare dinner. Then I add the leaves and season with a little bit of salt. Attempt to undercook the choy sum simply by just a little, so will probably be good when you combine all the pieces collectively.


4. Infuse the oil and add carrot. Flippantly prepare dinner the ginger and scallion white to make the oil aromatic, then barely prepare dinner the carrots.


5. Toss the noodles with sauce. This step requires just a little expertise with the kind of noodles you utilize and your soaking methodology. In case your noodles are fairly robust and undercooked, you may must toss them just a little longer. If solely the noodles are tender at this level, toss them very briefly to combine with the sauce to keep away from overcooking.


6. Put all the pieces collectively. Add again the cooked eggs, shrimp and greens and provides it a ultimate toss. Be aware, there can be some liquid from the shrimp and vegetable plates, which add taste to the dish and additional prepare dinner the noodles extra. So maintain this step temporary additionally to keep away from overcooking the noodles. As soon as completed, flip off the warmth and swirl within the sesame oil.


If you wish to serve this as a aspect dish
My recipe makes use of a considerable amount of toppings, as a result of I wish to have sufficient protein and veggies with each chew of noodles. However should you favor to serve this one as a aspect dish, you possibly can merely double the quantity of noodles and sauce with out altering anything. In the event you use a big wok and have a strong range, it’s potential to make a double batch in a single go (provided that you double the noodles and sauce solely, maintain the protein and veggies the identical). If you wish to double all the pieces, I extremely advocate cooking it in two batches to keep away from overcrowding the pan.
Easy methods to serve
I normally serve shrimp mei enjoyable as a one-pan meal, however it’s also possible to add a couple of completely different dishes to make a dinner unfold.
Listed here are some dishes that pair properly with it: Pickled Daikon with Carrot, Pork and Corn Soup, and Air Fryer Char Siu Pork.


Ceaselessly requested questions
How do I maintain the noodles from clumping collectively?
Soak the noodles till they nonetheless have some construction, and the noodles can be much less vulnerable to sticking. You may all the time toss the noodles with a little bit of oil if in case you have soaked the noodles however want time to organize different components. Throughout the stir fry, all the time use excessive warmth and toss rapidly, so the noodles don’t overcook and switch mushy.
My noodles turned mushy. What went fallacious?
Rice vermicelli solely wants a brief soak or temporary cooking. Undersoaking the noodles is significantly better than oversoaking them, as a result of you possibly can all the time prepare dinner the noodles extra within the wok. Oversoaking is the most typical situation.
Can I take advantage of a daily skillet as an alternative of wok?
Sure! A big skillet (a minimum of 12”) with tall partitions works one of the best. When tossing the noodles, use a pair of tongs as an alternative of a spatula to forestall spilling.
Chinese language Cooking Made Simple
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My shrimp mei enjoyable is a kind of easy noodle dishes that delivers most consolation and tastes even higher than takeout. Tender shrimp, chewy rice vermicelli, crisp greens, and a savory soy-based seasoning come collectively in a fast stir fry that’s balanced, nutritious, and satisfying. Every part cooks in minutes, making it good for a weeknight.
Stop your display from going darkish
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Mix the shrimp and the marinade in a medium-sized bowl. Combine properly together with your hand till the shrimp are lined evenly, put aside.
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Cook dinner or soak vermicelli noodles in scorching water based on bundle directions till al dente. I wish to prepare dinner the noodles 1 minute lower than the bundle requires. (*Footnote 2) As soon as completed, drain and put aside. Use a pair of scissors to chop the vermicelli into quick strands so it’s simpler to stir fry with.
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To organize the choy sum, slice the stems on a forty five diploma bias into 1/4” (6-mm) thick slices, and slice the leaves into 1” (2.5-cm) thick slices. If utilizing child bok choy, slice the whites into 1/2” (1-cm) items and the leaves into 1” (2.5-cm) items. Separate the stems and greens.
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Combine all of the sauce components in a small bowl and put aside.
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Add 1/2 tablespoon of oil right into a wok and warmth over excessive warmth till smoking. Add the crushed eggs into the identical pan. Flippantly scramble the eggs till simply cooked. Switch to a plate.
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Pour in 1/2 tablespoon of oil and add the shrimp by spreading out with minimal overlap. Sear till the underside is cooked, 1 minute or so. Stir and prepare dinner till the shrimp are simply cooked by way of, one other minute or so. Switch to the plate with the eggs.
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Add 1/2 tablespoon of oil and the choy sum stems. Stir to coat with oil and prepare dinner for 30 seconds. Add the choy sum greens, stir and prepare dinner till the choy sum is barely wilted. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Cook dinner and stir till simply cooked by way of however nonetheless crisp. Switch to a plate.
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Add the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil, scallion whites, and ginger. Stir and prepare dinner for 1 minute to launch perfume. Add the carrot. Cook dinner and stir for 1 minute, till the carrot simply begins to show tender.
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Add the noodles and scallion greens and pour within the sauce. Toss till the sauce is totally absorbed. Add again the cooked shrimp, eggs, and choy sum. Toss to combine all the pieces properly till the noodles are tender. Switch all the pieces to serving plates and serve scorching as a principal.
Ingredient Substitution Information
- Slicing the shrimp into skinny items helps with the feel. The shrimp will prepare dinner quicker and extra evenly, producing a really tender outcome. The items additionally distribute extra evenly within the noodles, creating a greater mouthfeel when eaten with the noodles. Nevertheless, should you favor larger shrimp items, you possibly can maintain the shrimp entire with out chopping them.
- In the event you use the model of rice noodles I like to recommend above, soak the noodles in highly regarded water (however not boiling water) for a couple of minutes till the noodles have turned tender, however nonetheless have some construction to them. You may additional regulate the noodle texture through the stir fry.
- To make the dish gluten-free, use a gluten-free soy sauce and a gluten-free oyster sauce.
Serving: 1serving, Energy: 503kcal, Carbohydrates: 47.3g, Protein: 30.8g, Fats: 20.4g, Saturated Fats: 4g, Ldl cholesterol: 309mg, Sodium: 1040mg, Potassium: 332mg, Fiber: 1.1g, Sugar: 2.2g, Calcium: 255mg, Iron: 3mg
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