Recipe: Mee Rebus

mee-rebus recipe
Date: Mon, 18 Oct 93 08:51:42 EDT
From: Christina Hulbe

This is my re-working of a traditional Malasian
(according to what I have learned) dish. There is a little time spent in the preparation but it is, IMHO, worth it. Hope you like it.

Mee Rebus, Noodles in Sweet Potato Gravy (Malay)
Serves: 4 people

1/2 lb flat wheat noodles or yellow noodles (either fresh or dry)
4 Cups mung bean sprouts

Gravy:
1 1/2 lb sweet potatoes
1 med sized yellow onion
2 large fresh hot red chiles (Italian, Fresno)
2 red serrano chiles or substitute 6-8 dry red chiles, soaked, for fresh
2 1/2 Tbsp dried ground coriander
2 cubes preserved bean curd (Fu Ru, Fu Chi)
3 1/2 Cups vegetable broth seasoned with 4 tsp dark soy sauce

Garnish:
6 spring onions, shredded
1 stalk celery, diagonally sliced
2 fresh green chiles, sliced
2 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated or fine strips
2 limes, cut in eight sections
2 Tbsp dark soy sauce
2 squares pressed, seasoned tofu, crumbled, optional

Garnish: Prepare garnish ingredients, place in individual serving dishes and set aside.

Gravy: Wash sweet potatoes, pierce several times with a sharp knife, and steam (or cook in microwave) until tender. Set aside to cool.

Mince onion and chiles, mix together and grind into a coarse paste (or continue chopping until this consistency is achieved). Peel and chop sweet potatoes. In a medium bowl, mash 3/4 of the
potatoes, adding vegetable stock (up to 1 cup) as needed.

Heat large skillet or wok over med-high heat. Toast coriander in heated pan until very fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove coriander from the pan. Dry-fry onion and chile paste, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes. Add several Tbsp vegetable stock, preserved bean curd, and toasted coriander to the pan. Mash the bean curd, mixing with other ingredients in the pan and fry for 2 minuets.

Add remaining stock. When the stock comes to the boil, blend in mashed potatoes, reduce heat to low, add reserved potato cubes, cover, and simmer.

Noodles and Bean Sprouts: Bring a large pot of water to the boil.

Blanch bean sprouts (2 or 3 minutes) and divide among 4 wide soup bowls. Cook noodles according to type used, and divide among bowls.

Stir gravy, adding warm stock or water if needed to thin, and quickly ladle over hot sprouts and noodles. Serve with garnishes to add as desired.