Fried Flour Vermicelli (Misua/Meen Seen) [ 炒面线 ]

Misua or mee suah (in Hokkien) or meen seen (面线 in Cantonese) is a very thin type of salted noodles made from wheat flour, salt, tapioca starch and water.  This noodle signifies long life in Chinese culture, therefore it is always served as Longevity Noodles during birthday dinners.   

Ingredients:

300g flour vermicelli (面线)

200g chinese chives, cut into 3cm length

300g bean sprouts

40g dried shrimps, soaked to soften then coarsely chopped

4 cloves garlic, finely minced

2 shallots, finely sliced

enough oil to deep fry vermicelli

Seasoning:

1 tbsp oyster sauce

2 tbsp light soy sauce

1 tsp sugar

salt & pepper, to taste

1 cup water

• Prepare a big bowl of boiling water.  Set aside.
• Heat enough oil in a wok and deep fry vermicelli, one bundle at a time until light brown (watch the noodles carefully as it gets brown very quickly).
• Remove the noodles with a slotted spatula and drain on absorbent paper.  Then blanch noodles in hot water until softened, or al dente and drain well in a colander.
• Heat oil in wok and stir fry garlic and shallots until fragrant.  Dish out and set aside.
• Stir fry dried shrimps until fragrant, then add in noodles and seasoning.  Then put in chives, bean sprouts and the fried garlic and shallots. Toss well. 
• Dish out and serve immediately.