Noodles Bolognaise a la Vietnam
This is a nice change up from having our regular Italian Spaghetti. I love the fish sauce and lemongrass and the bite of the red onions. Happily, the kids love it as well.
I found the recipe in a magazine, maybe it was Food & Wine?, but my well-used copy has no date or magazine name, so depending on my memory is certainly not reliable. I even googled the recipe name, Republic's Noodles Bolognaise, in hopes of finding the source. But Google only returned things like "Banana Republic's", "Czech Republic's" and "the Italian Farmers' Union denounced bolognaise as a usurpation of Italian cuisine".
I found the recipe in a magazine, maybe it was Food & Wine?, but my well-used copy has no date or magazine name, so depending on my memory is certainly not reliable. I even googled the recipe name, Republic's Noodles Bolognaise, in hopes of finding the source. But Google only returned things like "Banana Republic's", "Czech Republic's" and "the Italian Farmers' Union denounced bolognaise as a usurpation of Italian cuisine".
Oh well, the recipe's origins may have been lost, but here's the recipe for posterity.
Serves 4 - 6
In a large sauté pan, heat:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Add and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes:
2 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
3 shallots, peeled and finely diced
3 stalks lemongrass, trimmed of outer leaves and sliced very thinly crosswise (or 1/4 cup lemon juice)
3 small fresh red chiles, seeded and diced fine (optional)
Add to sauté pan and cook, stirring, until meat is barely pink:
1 pound ground turkey (or beef)
Add to sauté pan:
1 28-oz can diced tomatoes, including juice
1/3 cup fish sauce [I like the Three Crabs Brand]
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1-2 teaspoons dried hot pepper flakes (depending on how hot you like it)
Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in a large pot and add:
1 pound Yau Min egg noodles or fresh egg linguine noodles or dried spaghetti noodles
Cook according to package instructions or until al dente. Drain well, then pour into sauté pan along with:
2 cups bean sprouts
Mix noodles, sauce and bean sprouts together gently. Divide noodles among 6 bowls and top each portion with:
Coriander leaves (cilantro), chopped
1 red onion, peeled and sliced very thin
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