Broad Rice Noodles with Chiles, Pork, and Basil

This classic and flavorful Stir-Fried Noodles recipe has been a favorite for over 20 years, combining the perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and herbal goodness. With its hot, sweet, and herbaceous taste, this dish is sure to please your taste buds. The recipe is versatile, allowing you to adjust the spiciness to suit individual preferences, making it an excellent choice for a satisfying weeknight meal or a delightful dinner with friends and family.

MAKES: About 4 servings

TIME: About 45 minutes, including time to soak the noodles

INGREDIENTS:

• 12 ounces wide rice noodles (fettuccine width)
• 2 tablespoons peanut or neutral oil, like grapeseed or corn
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 5 small dried hot red chiles, or to taste
• 5 to 8 ounces ground pork or other ground meat, like beef or turkey
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce (nam pla), or 3 tablespoons either or any combination
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons rice or other vinegar
• 1 cup shredded fresh basil leaves
• Salt if necessary
• Hot red pepper flakes (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Soak the rice noodles in warm water until soft, approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Drain thoroughly and toss with half of the oil.
2. In a large, deep nonstick skillet, heat the remaining oil over medium-high heat until a wisp of smoke appears. Add minced garlic and dried hot red chiles, and cook for about a minute.
3. Reduce the heat to medium, then add the ground pork or other ground meat to the skillet. Cook, stirring and breaking up clumps, until the meat turns brown and any traces of red or pink disappear, usually about 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Stir in the soy sauce and/or fish sauce and the sugar, mixing everything well. Add the drained rice noodles to the skillet, tossing and stirring to combine.
5. Pour in the vinegar and most of the shredded fresh basil. Stir everything together, and taste the dish. Add salt if necessary.
6. Serve the Stir-Fried Noodles garnished with the remaining fresh basil. If you prefer more heat, you can pass hot red pepper flakes at the table.

VARIATIONS:

• Rice Noodles with Coconut Milk: Add sliced onion and roughly chopped red bell pepper after cooking the garlic and chiles. Increase the sugar and replace the vinegar with coconut milk.

• Vegetarian Broad Rice Noodles: Add minced fresh ginger with the garlic and chiles. Cook scallion and red bell pepper after the initial cooking of garlic and chiles. Substitute tofu or seitan for the meat, or combine with the coconut milk variation for a delightful twist.

TIPS:

• If you’re a fan of coconut milk, try the Rice Noodles with Coconut Milk variation for a rich and creamy twist on the classic stir-fried noodles.
• Consider garnishing the dish with toasted sesame seeds or chopped nuts for added texture and flavor.
• If you want to make the dish spicier but are unsure of your guests’ preferences, serve the hot red pepper flakes on the side, allowing everyone to adjust the heat to their liking.
• For added freshness and a burst of flavor, serve the stir-fried noodles with a squeeze of lime juice just before serving.
• To ensure your noodles are cooked perfectly, follow the cooking times for each specific type of noodle and avoid overcooking, as it can result in mushy noodles.

This Stir-Fried Noodles recipe provides a delightful blend of flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds craving for more. Feel free to experiment with different variations to suit your taste preferences and create a dish that everyone will love!