Mayi Shang Shu (ants Climb A Tree)

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 4 (2 ounce) packages dried cellophane noodles
• 4 cups boiling water
• 1 lb ground lamb
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil (dark, the kind used for flavoring and not for frying or salads)
• 6 scallions
• 6 garlic cloves
• 1/2 inch piece fresh gingerroot
• 5 tablespoons peanut oil
• 2 tablespoons hot pepper paste
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2/3 cup water
• salt, to taste
• fresh ground black pepper

Recipe

• 1 preparation:.
• 2 put the cellophane noodles in a large bowl and cover with boiling water. stir and set aside to soak for at least 20 minutes.
• 3 put the ground lamb in a bowl and add the 2 tablespoons soy sauce and sesame oil.
• 4 clean the scallions, then slice them, both the green and , diagonally as fine as you can. add half of the scallions to the ground lamb mixture and mix well. set aside the remainder of the scallions.
• 5 peel the garlic cloves and chop them into tiny pieces, about the size of a match head.
• 6 peel the ginger, then mince it very fine, until it reaches the consistency of coarse bread crumbs.
• 7 when the cellophane noodles have become nice and soft, rinse them several times under cold water; drain well and set aside.
• 8 time to cook!
• 9 heat your wok or pan over a high flame for 15 seconds, then pour in the oil. it will be hot enough to cook with when the first tiny bubbles forms and a few small wisps of smoke appear.
• 10 when the oil is ready, toss in the chopped ginger and garlic, and the hot pepper paste. stir-fry these ingredients together for 30 seconds, using your cooking shovel to keep things moving around in the hot oil.
• 11 add the meat and continue to stir-fry for about 1 minute, taking particular care to break up any large chunks of meat. note: lamb will not be completed cooked at this point.
• 12 pour in the soy sauce and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
• 13 add the cellophane noodles and cook for about 1 minutes, turning them over occasionally and making several cuts with the cooking shovel or wooden spoon.
• 14 add the water and the rest of the scallions. taste for salt and season as needed to give a rich, clear taste to the noodles. cover pan and let simmer over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
• 15 sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper just before serving.