Stir-Fried Korean Glass Noodles

Korean glass noodles are made from sweet potato starch. Gluten-free and low-calorie, they have a springy texture and a neutral flavor. In Korean BBQ restaurants, this dish is known as Jap Chae or sometimes Chap Chae. In this recipe, I jazz them up with marinated meat, stir-fry vegetables, eggs, and a sesame sauce. By cooking and assembling the noodles, meat, vegetables, and eggs, this becomes a perfect party dish: your guests can toss together exactly what they want. Traditionally, these noodles are served with a scrambled egg on top, but you can omit it. You can use chicken or tofu instead of the beef.

What are the age-fighting benefits? Sweet potatoes are full of carotenoids, antioxidants that produce vitamin A in your body. Vitamin A supports the immune system and keeps eyes healthy. Shiitake mushrooms contain selenium, an antioxidant mineral that also strengthens immune response. Mushrooms and beef both contain protein for building muscles.

SERVES 4

Ingredients
1 cup Korean sweet potato glass noodles

Noodle Seasonings
1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds
¼ cup low-sodium soy or tamari sauce
¼ cup water 2 Tbs. raw or turbinado sugar
1 Tbs. sesame oil Salt or salt substitute and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Meat
1 cup thinly sliced beef tenderloin
1 Tbs. raw or turbinado sugar
2 Tbs. low-sodium soy sauce or tamari sauce
¼ tsp. black pepper
1 Tbs. sesame oil

Vegetables
¼ cup julienned white onion
2 Tbs. sesame oil
2 tsp. chopped garlic
1 tsp. peeled and chopped ginger
½ cup julienned shiitake mushrooms
½ cup julienned carrots
½ cup firmly packed whole baby spinach leaves, without stems
¼ cup julienned green onion
Salt or salt substitute and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Egg topping
1 tsp. olive oil
1 egg (organic, free-range, or Omega-3-enriched), beaten
Salt or salt substitute and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Make the noodles: Cook according to package directions and drain; place in a serving bowl, and sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds. Boil the noodle seasoning ingredients in a saucepan for 5 minutes. Pour over the noodles, toss, and set aside.

2. Make the meat: Combine the meat and its seasoning ingredients in a bowl and let sit for 10–15 minutes. Stir-fry in a wok or skillet over medium heat for 5–7 minutes or until well done. Set aside.

3. Make the vegetables: Stir-fry the white onions, garlic, and ginger in the oil over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the shiitake mushrooms and cook another 1–2 minutes. Add the carrots and cook another 1–2 minutes or until the mushrooms are cooked through and the carrots are crisp-tender. Remove from the heat. Stir in the spinach leaves and green onions and allow them to wilt. Set aside in a bowl.

4. Make the topping: In a nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the beaten egg and season with the salt and pepper. Cook through, omelet-style, for 2–3 minutes without folding or turning. Turn onto a cutting board and slice into strips. Set aside in a bowl.

5. To serve, combine all of the ingredients in a large serving dish or serve each component separately and let your guests create their own bowls of goodness.

FoodTrients
Antioxidant – Prevents and repairs oxidative damage to cells caused by free radicals

Immunity Booster – Supports the body’s resistance to infection and strengthens immune vigilance and response