Recipe for the honeycomb noodles you mian kao lao lao (莜面栲栳栳)

Adapted from an Andrew Wong's recipe, in A. Wong -The Cookbook

Ingredients

For the noodles

• 120g oat flour, plus extra if needed

• 50ml boiling water

For sesame sauce

• 3 tablespoons Chinese sesame paste

• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds

• ¼ cup warm water, plus extra if needed

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar

• 1½ teaspoons sesame oil

• ½ teaspoon minced garlic

• ½ teaspoon sugar

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons chopped coriander

• 2 teaspoons chopped green onions

For the vinegar sauce

• ¼ cup soy sauce

• ¼ cup Chinese black vinegar

• ½ teaspoon garlic, minced

• ½ teaspoon sugar

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 2 teaspoons coriander, chopped

• 2 teaspoons green onions, chopped

Preparation

1. In a bowl, place the oat flour and slowly add the boiling water. While adding the water keep stirring constantly. The resultant dough should be firm and free of any lumps.

2. There are two ways to form the cells of the dough honeycomb: a) Roll out a portion of the dough until it is thin and then cut with a knife in 3cmx5cm strips; or, b) form little lumps of dough (aprox. 1,5 cm diameter) and then roll it out into en elongated 3cm x 5 cm strip.

3. Roll the strip around the forefinger to form a roll. Press the overlapping dough to seal well.

4. Line the bottom of the steamer with parchment paper to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bamboo.

5. Place the roll upright in a bamboo steamer.

6. Repeat the process until the basket is full and the noodles form a honeycomb arrangement.

7. Place the steamer over a pot of cold water. Steam the noodles for six minutes, counting from the moment the water begins to boil.

8. Serve hot with the dipping sauces.

For the sesame paste sauce

1. In a bowl, combine the 3 tablespoons of sesame paste with the water. Mix well and if needed, add extra water, so the consistency becomes more liquid.

2. Add the garlic, salt, sugar, vinegar and soy sauce. Mix well.

3. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds, onions and coriander.

4. Finish with a touch of sesame oil.

For the vinegar sauce

1. Combine all the ingredients.

Read Taking my time with you mian kao lao lao (莜面栲栳栳)