Pork with Sesame Noodles

The trick to this recipe is to start cooking the noodles and the pork at the same time and to mix the sesame sauce before doing anything else. This keeps you from dashing madly about the kitchen like a distracted, hyper puppy.

This is one of those dishes where the spiciness can be greatly increased without it drowning out the other flavors. It's also my second-favorite of all my mom's recipes.

Pork with Sesame Noodles

Sesame Noodles

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound spaghettini
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• 2 tablespoons dark sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• salt to taste
• 1/4 cup sesame tahini or sesame paste
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar

Directions

1. Stir together the tahini, sugar, cayenne and soy sauce. When the mixture is smooth, stir in the vinegar. Set aside. This is a good time to prepare the pork.
2. Put the noodles in boiling water to cook. Start the pork cooking now.
3. Once the noodles are done, drain and put in a large bowl. Add the peanut and sesame oils, ginger, garlic, and salt. Toss to combine.
4. Pour the tahini mixture over the noodles and stir thoroughly. Set aside for the pork, tossing occasionally.

Pork

Ingredients

• 3 boneless pork cutlets (about 3/4 pound total)
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• 3 tablespoons chicken stock (or water if you want it less salty)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped scallions

Directions

1. Remove fat from pork cutlets and slice very thinly. Toss the slices with the soy sauce and vinegar and set aside for 10 minutes. Start cooking the noodles.
2. Heat the oil in a large skillet and, when the oil is very hot, add the pork and saute over high heat for a few minutes or until they are browned on the outside.
3. Lower the heat, add stock or water, and simmer for 5 minutes or until the pork is tender and cooked through. Remove pork from the pan and leave it to cool completely.
4. Add pork and scallions to the noodles and toss thoroughly. You can chill before serving, but it's good hot as well.