Japchae (Korean sweet potato noodles)

Why not try this Korean taste sensation for your weeknight dinner. Steak and sweet potato noodles - it's quick and easy!

• 300g dangmyeon noodles (sweet potato noodles)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 60ml (1/4 cup) soy sauce
• 1 bunch English spinach, stems removed
• 1 1/2 tablespoons light extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large carrot, peeled, cut into matchsticks
• 1 brown onion, halved, thinly sliced
• 5 green shallots, trimmed, cut into 5cm pieces
• 100g fresh oyster mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms, sliced if large
• 250g piece beef porterhouse steak, trimmed, thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 1/2 tablespoons caster sugar
• Toasted sesame seeds, to serve

Energy 2478kJ	Fat saturated 4.00g
Fat Total 21.00g	Carbohydrate sugars g
Carbohydrate Total 80.00g	Dietary Fibre 5.00g
Protein 18.00g	Cholesterol mg
Sodium mg

All nutrition values are per serve.

1. Step 1

   Cook the noodles in a saucepan of boiling water for 6-7 minutes or until translucent and just tender. Drain. Transfer to a large bowl. Add 1 tablespoon sesame oil and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Toss to coat.

2. Step 2

   Blanch spinach in a large saucepan of boiling water for 1 minute or until just tender. Drain. Refresh under cold running water. Squeeze out excess moisture. Coarsely chop. Transfer to a bowl.

3. Step 3

   Heat 3 teaspoons olive oil in a frying pan over high heat. Cook carrot and onion, stirring, for 1 minute or until tender crisp. Transfer to bowl. Add shallot. Cook, stirring, for a further 1-2 minutes or until just soft. Transfer to bowl. Add another 2 teaspoons oil to pan and cook mushrooms, stirring, for 1-2 minutes or until just tender. Transfer to bowl. Heat remaining oil in pan and cook beef, stirring, for 30 seconds. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds or until aromatic. Stir in 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 tablespoon sugar for 30 seconds or until combined.

4. Step 4

   Add vegetable mixture and beef mixture to noodles. Drizzle with remaining soy sauce and sesame oil. Sprinkle with remaining sugar. Toss well to combine. Divide among bowls. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

For perfect japchae, preparation is key – have your meat and vegies sliced and ready for fast cooking. Look for sweet potato noodles in Asian supermarkets or the Asian aisle of some major supermarkets.