Udon - Japanese Noodles with Beef and Vegetables

Udon is a type of thick Japanese noodles that are usually sold fresh in vacuum packs. They may be prepared as a soup or stir fried with meat and vegetables.
I prepared udon according to this recipe many times and it always came out with a great taste. Even my husband, who is Italian, likes this kind of noodle... 



INGREDIENTS: 
Servings: 2

1 pack (100g) Udon noodles
1 zucchini
1 carrot
1/2 leek
100g beef 
1 handful soy sprouts
1 garlic clove
1 tbs grated fresh ginger
Seasoning: 
1 tbs flour
1 tbs Mirin
1 tbs rice vinegar
some drops of fish sauce
2-3 tbs soy sauce
2 tbs sesame oil
oil 

Note: Don't get dispirited !!! The ingredients' list looks really long, but you need just half an hour to prepare this dish!
Note: The seasonings are the typical asian ones, so if you like this kind of cuisine I suggest to find the right ingredients. You can easily find them in the Asian food groceries.


1. Cut the meat into sticks 0.5cm thick.
2. Season the meat first with flour, then with Mirin, rice vinegar, some drops of fish sauce, 1 tbs of sesame oil and 1 tbs of soy sauce. Mix well and keep aside for marinating while you are preparing the other ingredients for cooking.

3. Cut carrot and zucchini into thin sticks, it is easily done with a Mandolina grater.
4. Cut leek into thin rounds.
5. Grate some ginger.
6. Clean and squeeze a garlic clove.

7. Soak Udon noodles in hot water for 2-3 minutes and drain well. Or precook as per the package instuctions. 


8. In a wok pan heat up some vegetable oil (I use the olive oil).
Note: How to cook/stir fry in the wok pan:
- heat the oil well, till it is about to fume,
- use chop sticks or, as I do, tongs to stir,
- constantly stir the food,
- use high heat.   
  

9. Add carrot first, then after 3-4 minutes add zucchini, stir well. Cook for 3-4 more minutes.
10. Add squeezed garlic and ginger. Stir!!

 

11. Add soy sprouts and after you stir it well add marinated meat with it's sauce and leek.


 
12. Cook stirring till the meat changes it's colour.

13. Add Udon noodles, 1-2 tbs of soy sauce and 1 tbs of sesame oil, stir and switch off the heat.


14. Serve the dish with some leek cut into very thin rounds to decorate.

       Itadakimasu!!!

  Enjoy your meal!!!