BEEF: This is a very traditional Cantonese recipe for noodles with beef that is served in every restaurant. It can be easily reproduced at home.

RICE NOODLES WITH BEEF干炒牛河:

½ lb. frank steak or other tender beef

marinade for beef:

   1 tsp. rice wine or dry sherry                                   

   1/8 tsp. meat tenderizer, optional
   1 tbsp. dark soy sauce                                             
   1 tsp. tapioca or corn starch
   1 tsp. sesame oil                                          
   1 tsp. sugar
   1 tsp. grated ginger

 1 pkg. fresh or dry rice noodles***                            

 1 ½ cups fresh bean sprouts, preferably with ends removed

 1 to 2 tbsp. dark soy sauce                                         

 ½ to 1 tsp. salt

 2 slices ginger                                                             

 2 green onions, trimmed and cut into 2-inch sections

 cooking oil

**Rice noodles are flat white-coloured noodles made with rice flour. It is available as packages of freshly-cut noodles wrap in plastic bags in Chinese supermarkets. To substitute for fresh, dry rice noodles are available in most supermarkets. Just follow package instruction to soak until softened. Drain well and pat dry before use***.

 Slice beef across the grain and at an angle into thin slices. Mix marinade ingredients and marinade beef for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Remove noodles from package, separate noodles and set aside.

 In a wok or a large non-stick saucepan, heat oil over high heat until very hot.  Add ginger and stir fry 30 seconds until fragrant. Add beef and cook, stirring often, for 1 to 2 minutes until meat is no longer pink. Do not over cook. Remove meat with a slotted spoon.

Rinse wok and place it over high heat, add oil and heat until very hot. Add noodles and toss until heated through. Alternately, put noodles in a microwavable container and cook on high power for 2-3 minutes until hot. Transfers noodles to hot oil in pan and toss to coat with oil, just before adding bean sprouts and green onion. Stir fry together for 1-2 minutes. Add soy sauce, dash of sugar and salt to taste. Toss well, adding a little more soy sauce if necessary to coat all ingredients. Add beef and stir fry together for 1 minute until well combined. Serve hot.