Spicy-Sweet Sambal Pork Noodles

Yield

4-6 servings.

Ingredients

• 3 Tbsp. (45 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 lb. (1.4 kg) ground pork, divided
• 1 3” piece fresh ginger, peeled, cut into thin matchsticks or finely chopped
• 12 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 3 Tbsp. (40 g) sugar
• 3 Tbsp. (45 mL) tomato paste
• 3 sprigs basil, plus more for serving
• 1/2 cup (120 mL) hot chili paste (such as sambal oelek)
• 1/3 cup (90 mL) soy sauce
• 1/3 cup (90 mL) unseasoned rice vinegar
• 1.5 lbs (650 g) fresh chow mein noodles (or 12 oz dried ramen noodles)
• Kosher salt
• 3 Tbsp. (45 mL) unsalted butter

Steps

1. Heat oil in a large wide heavy pot over medium-high. Add half of pork to pot, breaking apart into 6–8 large chunks with a wooden spoon. Cook, undisturbed, until well browned underneath, about 5 minutes. Turn pieces and continue to cook, turning occasionally, until pork is browned on 2–3 sides, about 5 minutes longer.
2. Add ginger, garlic, sugar, and remaining pork to pot and cook, breaking up pork into small clumps, until meat is nearly cooked through, about 5 minutes longer.
3. Add tomato paste and 2 basil sprigs. Cook, stirring occasionally, until paste darkens, about 2 minutes.
4. Add chili paste, soy sauce, vinegar, and 2 cups water. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until sauce is slightly thickened and flavors have melded, 30–45 minutes.
5. Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until 1 minute short of al dente.
6. Add to pot with sauce along with butter and a splash of pasta cooking liquid. Simmer, tossing occasionally, until sauce begins to cling to noodles, about 1 minute. Pluck out basil sprigs.
7. Divide noodles among plates. Top with torn basil.

Source

https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/spicy-sweet-sambal-pork-noodles