Caramelized Scallion Noodles Recipes

CARAMELIZED-SCALLION SAUCE

Steps:

• In a tall-sided saucepan, heat the oil over medium-low heat.
• Trim the roots from 2/3 of the scallions, and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Pulse the scallions in a food processor until finely minced. (You may need to scrape down the sides once or twice.) Add 3/4 to 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and pulse until wet and puréed. Carefully add the purée to the oil (the oil should be warm, not hot, but be careful of splatters).
• Raise the heat to high, and cook, stirring, until it reaches a boil. Turn the heat down to maintain a mellow but insistent sizzle. Cook, stirring every few minutes to make sure the bottom and sides aren't sticking and browning, until the purée is army green, just starting to take on brownish tones, and goes from thick and clumpy to very liquid in the pot, around 35 minutes. In truth, it's ugly. (You can cook it further to get a more browned, caramelized flavor if you like, but don't let it get dark.)
• Meanwhile, trim the roots off the remaining scallions, and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Pulse them in the food processor until they are finely minced but not puréed. Remove the scallions to a bowl and stir in another 3/4 to 1 teaspoon salt. When the purée in the pot is ready, carefully stir in the minced scallions, and turn the heat up to high. Bring it back to a boil, stirring, and then remove the sauce to a heatproof bowl to cool to room temperature. When it has cooled, taste, and add more salt if desired.
• Store in a jar, topping it with a little oil if necessary to keep everything submerged. The sauce keeps, refrigerated and under oil, for a couple of weeks.

SINGAPORE NOODLES WITH CHARRED SCALLIONS

Steps:

• Season eggs with ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, and whisk well.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large (12-inch) skillet or wok over medium-high, and, once hot, swirl the oil around and pour in the egg mixture. Allow the egg to set before pushing the egg to one side and tilting the pan to the opposite side. Cook this way until the egg is just set. Break the egg into large chunks (they'll break up into smaller pieces on their own), remove from pan and set aside. Wipe out the pan if necessary.
• Prepare the scallions by separating the white and green parts. Halve the white sections vertically so they are thinner, then cut into 2-inch segments. Cut the green parts into 2-inch segments.
• In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high, add the peppers and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic, then add the white parts of the scallions in stages. As the scallions wilt, add more and cook until charred, another 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Return the skillet to the stovetop, reduce heat to medium and add 3 tablespoons of oil. Add the curry powder and 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, and stir vigorously to dissolve the curry powder, about 30 seconds.
• Increase heat to medium-high, add the drained vermicelli and ¼ cup of water, and drizzle with another 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil. Using tongs or long wooden chopsticks, toss the noodles well, ensuring that they are well coated in the curry mixture.
• Add the soy sauce and toss for 3 to 5 minutes, until the noodles are tender. Add the peppers, scallion whites and egg back to the pan, along with the scallion greens, and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes until the greens are wilted. Taste and season with more salt, if required.

GINGER-SCALLION RAMEN NOODLES

Steps:

• Toss ginger, garlic, and two-thirds of the scallions in a large bowl to combine. Heat grapeseed oil in a small saucepan over high until hot and shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes. Immediately pour hot oil over aromatics. The scallions will sizzle, turn bright green, and wilt almost immediately. Let sit 5 minutes.
• Mix soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, pepper, sugar, and remaining scallions into oil mixture; season with salt. Let sit 15 minutes for flavors to meld. Taste sauce and season with more salt if needed.
• Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions; drain.
• Toss noodles in a large bowl with as much or little sauce as you'd like. Divide among bowls and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve with chili oil alongside.