While in Ireland this summer, I was asked to participate in the Fortune Asian Noodle Blogger Recipe Challenge sponsored by JSL Foods, and my immediate response was an enthusiastic, “YES!” I mean…seriously!?!!? With the growing popularity of Asian noodle bowls, who wouldn’t want to create and test recipes, especially when you get to eat the fruits of your labor!
I’ve always been a HUGE fan of Asian food, and pasta/noodles have their own place in my food pyramid, so creating recipes using Fortune Mandarin Orange Yakisoba Stir Fry Noodles was simply a matter of narrowing my massive list of ideas. In the end, after three different noodle creations, I decided to create a noodle bowl straight from the heart, using the flavors and ingredients from my childhood and home. Yes, that would mean that my recipe is a fusion of Asian noodles and Cuban flair with lots of garlic & lime, pork, black beans, and even some pickled fruits & veggies for good measure.
The really neat thing about writing and testing recipes is the number of equally delicious dishes that aren’t selected. As usual, my selection of ingredients is solely based on what I like, and there are times when I pitch flavor ideas to my husband that he shoots me the raised eyebrow of concern. He always says that I over-complicate and over-think things. I prefer to think of it as him not understanding the complexity of my palate. Either way, he listens, we brainstorm, and the end result are unexpected flavor combinations that are surprisingly tasty!
Our second stir fry test is a true testament to our ingredient collaboration. A Kale, Cranberry & Walnut Asian Stir Fry with an Orange-Honey Mustard Sauce. The Fortune Yakisoba noodles are stir-fried with kale, carrots, onion, and a little purple cabbage before being topped with a sauce made from Fortune’s mandarin orange flavor packet and my husband’s favorite honey mustard and my favorite salad garnish, cranberries and candied walnuts. I promise to post this recipe in the coming weeks to. It would be absolutely perfect for a Meatless Monday dinner…quick, hearty, and vegetarian.
The third stir fry test pushed the limits of flavor combination. Sweet n’ Sour Mediterranean Stir Fry with Proscuitto and Cannellini Beans. The same Fortune Yakisoba noodles are stir-fried with proscuitto, salami, purple cabbage, cannellini beans, and even some Romaine lettuce before tossing with an orange-Italian dressing sauce and garnishing with shredded Parmesan cheese. As odd as it may sound, the sweet n’ sour of the dressing on the cabbage mixed with the saltiness of the proscuitto was quite yummy! This recipe will also be posted in the near future.
Ingredients
- Grilled Pork & Black Bean Asian Stir Fry
- 1 mango- cut into bite size pieces
- 1 red onion-julienned
- 1 c. jicama-julienned
- 2 c. vinegar
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 1 TBSP salt
- 1 tsp pickling salt
- 2 TBSP olive oil
- 2 boneless pork loin chops
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- salt & pepper
- 2 TBSP olive oil
- 1 c. yellow onion- julienned
- 1 c. green bell pepper-chunked
- 4 cloves garlic-smashed & minced
- 1/2 c. canned black beans-drained & rinsed
- 1 pkg. Fortune Mandarin Yakisoba Asian Stir Fry Noodles–reserve flavor packet
- 1/4 c. lime juice
- 1/4 c. water
- 1 TBSP olive oil
Instructions
- In a sauce pan, bring vinegar, sugar, and pickling spice to a boil. Add onion, cover and allow to cool.
- Once cool (room temp), remove onions. Add mango and jicama to vinegar and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, salt, pepper, and garlic powder the pork chops. Heat 2 TBSP olive oil in a non stick skillet. Sear each pork chop over high heat for 2-3 minutes per side or until crust forms. Remove from heat and allow to rest for 7-10 minutes. With a sharp knife, thinly slice pork.
- Pierce noodle packet with a knife and microwave on high for 1 minute. In a small bowl, add orange packet, water, lime juice, and olive oil. Set aside.
- Heat 2 TBSP olive oil in skillet. Saute onions, bell pepper, and garlic over medium heat until veggies begin to soften. Add black beans, pork, noodles, and sauce. Stir fry over high heat until well incorporated and noodles have absorbed the sauce.
- To serve, spoon pickled onions, mango, and jicama over stir fry.
*To purchase your own JSL Foods Fortune Asian Noodles, check out your local Alberton’s or Target.
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