This 10-minute hoi sin beef and noodles dish is so easy it’s really more of an idea than a recipe. You can cut a few corners and still end up with a healthy, freshly-prepared home-cooked meal.
I’ve probably (OK then, definitely) become a little lazier lately when it comes to cooking meals for myself and Mr. Scrummy. For instance, this was me the other day when shopping for this hoi sin beef and noodles recipe: “Hmm, I need some stir-fry veggies – is that a packet of ready-prepared on special offer? Oh and it’s got water chestnuts and beansprouts in it – bonus!” Into the shopping basket they went along with a bag of straight-to-wok noodles for two.
Until fairly recently, I used to feel a little like I SHOULD or even HAD TO chop, whisk, wash or whatever absolutely every element of a dinner myself to feel like it was a good one. It probably came from my time living in Greece where convenience foods aren’t so much of an option.
But really, Helen … why? Seriously, get over yourself. I’ve come to realise that there’s no shame at all in grabbing a couple of ready-chopped or portioned this or that to help yourself out on a busy day.
So if you cut a few corners by buying ready prepared veggies and/or noodles (heck, even ready chopped steak if you like, although personally I stopped short at that!) this meal seriously takes ten minutes to get on the table. The sauce is just plain old hoi sin sauce with a little water, so you whisk that up then prepare your noodles and stir-fry your veggies and put them aside. You stir-fry your beef in a hot wok for, literally, 1 minute (any more and you’ll end up with tough meat), then add your sauce and bubble for barely half a minute more.
And … done. Just layer your noodles and veg in your dishes and top with the beef and sauce and a sprinkling of sesame seeds if you have them.
Now you might remember how saucy Mr. Scrummy is from this sticky banana and caramel pancakes post, so I made double the amount of sauce that most similar recipes seem to call for. That was about right for us as hoi sin is a pretty strong flavour, but you might even want to serve up a bit more sauce (just microwave for 20 or 30 seconds and serve alongside in a little dish) for drizzling just in case you end up with a few dry noodles at the bottom of the dish (horror of horrors).
This is just a really basic recipe, obviously, but you can ‘jazz it up’ a bit if you like by frying a bit of grated ginger with a small finely chopped chili before you add the beef. But with or without the extra heat and spice, I really hope you try this idea soon!
And of course you don’t have to be as lazy as me – it’s totally fine to chop your own veggies and cook your noodles if you prefer. You will still amaze your family/friends/dog by how fast you get that mighty tasty plate of food on the table! 🙂
10-minute hoi sin beef and noodles
Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)
- 8 ounces rice or egg noodles I used fresh rice noodles
- 10.5 ounces packet of stir-fry vegetables see note below
- 8 ounce rump steak or any steak of your choice, sliced into about 1cm-wide strips
- 4 tablespoons hoisin sauce mixed with 4 tablespoons water (see note below)
- sesame seeds for sprinking
Instructions
- Prepare your noodles according to the packet instructions, then tip into a large bowl and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Meanwhile, heat a large drizzle of oil in a wok or deep frying pan and stir-fry your vegetables for 3 to 5 minutes until tender. Toss them with the noodles.
- Add another large drizzle of oil to the pan and stir-fry the beef on a high heat for 1 minute. Add the sauce and let bubble with the beef for 20 to 30 seconds longer (no more or the beef will overcook).
- Serve the noodles and veggies out into bowls, then top with the beef and sauce. Sprinkle the beef generously with sesame seeds and serve a little more sauce on the side if you like (see note below).
Notes
Nutrition
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steve g says
your right up my alley with this dish, quick, tasty, lots of color.
Helen says
Glad you like it, Steve!
Bam's Kitchen says
We all need some easy and delicious meals and if I can get one on the table in less than 10 minutes like your beauty, I am all about cutting corners. Heck, even in China they cut corners and they have like a bizillion pre-made different sauces, so why not give them a try. Loving your gorgeous photos! Just pinned!
Helen says
Thanks so much for the approval of my laziness and for the pin, Bam! 🙂
Maggie says
When I’m feeling lazy I just throw the frozen dumplings into the skillet, or I order pizza.lol So, this is not lazy at all! I use some short cut ways to fix lunch almost on a daily basis, and this is definitely a must-try! Your photos are so gorgeous!
Helen says
Thank you so much for saying you like my photos, Maggie! (blush blush!)