Rice Noodles and Asparagus in Spicy Black Bean Sauce

Rice Noodles and Asparagus
In Spicy Black Bean Sauce

It feels like the world is slowly waking up from this pandemic that has gripped our lives for the last two months. Supermarkets are still displaying sparsely stocked shelves except in the vegetable and fruit departments.

Asparagus
In Spicy Black Bean Sauce

When asparagus is available, it's best to cook them as soon as they arrive home or they lose their flavour and texture in a hurry. An easy and tasty way to have asparagus is to use south-east Asian flavours and here's what I did.

Ingredients

1 lb. asparagus (12-15/bunch), cut in 1-1/2" lengths

6 rashers bacon, chopped

1 medium onion, minced

1 tsp. minced garlic

1-1/2 tsp. spicy black bean sauce (I used Lee Kum Kee brand)

2 Tbsp. fish sauce (no additional salt required)

2 serrano peppers or green chilies, cut in circles

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

Directions

1. Heat oil and fry onions, garlic and green chilies until onions turn translucent.
2. Add black bean sauce and fish sauce and stir until sauce bubbles.
3. Add asparagus and bacon, stir-fry until coated with sauce.
4. Serve asparagus and bacon with a bowl of hot long-grain rice or combine with rice noodles.
5. Cut fresh rice noodles into smaller segments, stir into contents of pan, coating noodles with vegetables and sauce.
6. Keep stir-frying until noodles are soften.
7. Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy for a quick and satisfying lunch.