Hoisin Pork Noodles

When you move a long distance weight plays a big factor in what you are charged by the moving company. Two years ago, we moved 800 miles, across three states from near Salt Lake City to just outside Seattle.

I purged my pantry (much to the benefit of my friends). I will never forget the text I received from Maria after going through want I gave to her: “What do I do with four jars of hoisin sauce???” I feel the need to explain it was a specific brand of hoisin sauce that was hard to come by in Utah. When we found it we stocked up.

Hoisin Sauce, for those of you who have never had it, is a slightly sweet Asian sauce made from soy sauce, honey or molasses, sesame oil, black bean paste, and spices. It is very versatile and we use it for a number of different recipes.  One of these days I will try to make it homemade.

IMG_20140806_200844055_HDROur favorite hoisin recipe is Hoisin Baby Back Ribs from Weber’s Art of the Grill cookbook. I stay out of the kitchen when ribs are on the menu. Steve and Elizabeth have a system down to make the basting sauce and getting them on the grill. (A side note: If you are in Utah we found Snider Brothers Meats has the best pork baby back ribs. In Washington, the best ones we have had are from QVC). The recipe for these ribs is below.

Another great recipe I like to make is sort of a take on Pad Thai, Hoisin Pork Noodles. I have really fallen in love with Pad Thai and was looking for a recipe I could convince our daughter to eat. I stumbled across this one and knowing she loves the hoisin ribs, I figured this was not a bad option. I have, of course, modified the recipe.  

IMG_20150824_195352238It’s pretty simple, combine the sauce ingredients (soy sauce, water, hoisin sauce, siracha, sesame oil, olive oil, garlic, ginger, and honey), whisk it together, and pour it over a pork tenderloin you and sliced into strips. Let this marinade for at least 30 minutes.

Prepare rice noodles according to the package instructions (usually this involves boiling water, then putting the noddles in it to sit for 10 minutes). Drain and set aside.

In a hot wok add a little peanut oil (or olive oil) and stir fry the pork until done. Then add the broccoli slaw and stir fry a little longer. Add the prepared rice noodles, stir to incorporate. I like using tongs to mix it together. Serve in a bowl garnished with cilantro and chopped peanuts. If you have bean sprouts you can add them as well!IMG_20150824_195448827