Omitted the stalks of scallions but still tasted great
Yi Mein (Birthday Noodles!)
Total Recipe Cost: $6.63 for 6 servings!
(The noodle packaging claims there's 12 servings, which is outrageous. I could easily finish this in 4, but let's pretend to eat like normal people and call it 6. )
20 dried shiitake mushrooms
(1) 12 oz package of yi mein, also called e-fu, yee-fu, yifu, or yi noodles
3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon oyster sauce (see preferred brand above)
3 stalks of scallions*
oil
salt
pepper
Reconstitute the dried mushrooms in a bowl of water, for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, thinly slice the scallions, and start boiling a pot of water for the noodles. When the mushrooms become soft, thinly slice them. Lightly coat a pan with oil, then saute the mushrooms for about 5-10 minutes. (If you're using fresh mushrooms, it will take longer to cook, since they release a lot of liquid. Just cook down almost all the liquid.) In the last minute, add 1 teaspoon of oyster sauce and a sprinkling of salt.
Drop the noodles in the pot of boiling water and briefly submerge until they are soft and pliable--this will take slightly less than a minute. Drain the noodles, then place in a lightly-oiled pan (enough to coat the bottom and then a little extra). Toss the noodles to coat with oil, then pan fry for about 10 minutes on medium-low heat. There should be no burning or crisping of the noodles! In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add 3 tablespoons of oyster sauce, and most of the sliced scallions (reserve enough for garnishing). Salt and pepper to taste, toss to coat the noodles evenly, and continue cooking until the scallions are slightly wilted. Garnish with reserved scallions, then enjoy!
