Meat Recipes - Birthday Noodles with Hoisin Lamb Recipe

Ingredients

• 350g/12oz thick egg noodles

• 11 kg/2 1/4lb lean neck fillets of lamb

• 30ml/2 tbsp vegetable oil

• 115g/4oz fine green beans, trimmed and blanched

• salt and ground black pepper

• 2 hard-boiled eggs, halved, and 2 spring onions (scallions), finely chopped, to garnish

For the marinade:

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 10ml/2 tsp grated fresh root ginger

• 30ml/2 tbsp soy sauce

• 30ml/2 tbsp rice wine

• 1-2 dried red chillies

• 30ml/2 tbsp vegetable oil

For the sauce:

• 15ml/1 tbsp corn flour (cornstarch)

• 30ml/2 tbsp soy sauce

• 30ml/2 tbsp rice wine

• grated rind and juice of 1/2 orange

• 15ml/1 tbsp hoisin sauce

• 15ml/1 tbsp wine vinegar

• 5ml/1 tsp soft light brown sugar

Serves 4

---

Method:

1. Bring a large pan of water to the boil and cook the noodles for 2 minutes. Drain, rinse and drain again. Set aside.

2. Cut the lamb into 5cm/2in thick medallions. Mix the ingredients for the marinade in a large shallow dish. Add the lamb and leave to marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

3. Heat the oil in a heavy pan. Fry the lamb for 5 minutes until browned. Add just enough water to cover. Bring to the boil, skim, then simmer for 40 minutes or until the meat is tender.

4. Make the sauce. Blend the corn flour with the remaining ingredients in a bowl. Stir into the lamb and mix well. Add the noodles and beans and simmer until cooked. Add salt and pepper to taste.

5. Divide among four large bowls, garnish with hard-boiled egg halves and spring onions and serve.

Note: This sumptuous dish gets its name from the inclusion of boiled eggs in the recipe. Eggs symbolize continuity and fertility in China, so it is considered a fitting dish for birthday celebrations.