Thai Newspaper Noodles

Newspaper Noodles are cooked up by street vendors and wrapped in plastic, then newspaper for a portable snack or light meal.

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 bundle (3 to 4 ounces) fresh soba noodles
1/4 cup bean sprouts
1 teaspoon fish sauce
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 ounces roast pork or char siu
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped green onion

Heat vegetable oil, then stir in garlic and fry over medium heat until light brown. Remove from heat.

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add noodles and cook 30 seconds, then add bean sprouts. Cook a few seconds to blanch sprouts, then remove from heat and drain. Toss with garlic and oil mixture, fish sauce and pepper. Top with pork, cilantro and green onion.

Wrap tightly while warm in plastic wrap or a banana leaf, forming a triangular shape. Then wrap in newspaper to make a portable bundle. Serves 1.

NOTE: Cooked crabmeat or shrimp may be substituted for the pork.

Approximate nutritional analysis, per half cup serving: 550 calories, 23 g total fat, 4 g saturated fat, 110 mg cholesterol, 410 mg sodium, 43 g carbohydrate, 46 g protein