*** Japchae (Korean stir fried noodles with vegetables)

• 8 oz dangmyun starch noodles (common brands)
• 8 oz lean beef, thinly sliced
• 1 bunch of spinach
• 1 carrot, 2-inch match-stick cut
• 1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 5 fresh shiitake mushrooms, or dried (reconstituted in warm water for a few hours), thinly sliced
• 8 oz white mushroomed, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, or 1/2 Tbsp minced
• 4 green onions, cut into 2 1/2 inch pieces
• 4 Tbsp soy sauce, DIVIDED
• 3 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil, DIVIDED
• olive oil, for stir-frying
• 3 1/2 Tbsp sugar, DIVIDED
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 1/2 cup rice, uncooked
• water for rice

NOTE THE CALORIES FOR THE NOODLES

Add-Ins

• #1: 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• #2: 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
• #3: 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 Tbsp sugar
• #4: 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 3 Tbsp sugar, 2 Tbsp sesame oil, 1 tsp ground pepper

Prepare add-ins above in separate small containers. Put the other ingredients in small containers ready to add at a moment's notice.

Boil 2 bunches of noodles in boiling water in a big pot for about 3 minutes. When the noodles are soft, fish them out with tongs and put in a large bowl. Reserve the hot water.

Cut the noodles several times by using scissors and add Add In #1. Mix it up and set aside. The noodles should feel soft.

In the boiling water, add spinach and stir it gently for 1 minute. Then take it out and rinse it in cold water 3 times. Remove any grit or dead leaves thoroughly while rinsing. Squeeze it gently to get the water out, then cut it into 2-inch pieces and place in the bowl.

Add Add-In #2 and mix it and place it into the large bowl with the spinach.

Heat a few drops of olive oil in a large pan over high heat. Stir fry the carrots for 30 seconds, then set aside into the bowl.

Add a few more drops of oil and stir fry the onion until it looks translucent. Set aside into bowl.

Add a few more drops of oil and stir fry the white mushrooms. Cook to desired doneness and set aside into bowl.

Add a few more drops of oil and add beef and shiitake mushrooms. Stir until cooked well, then add garlic and Add-In #3. Stir for another 30 seconds and then put it into the large bowl.

Add Add-In #4 to the mixing bowl. Mix all ingredients, then sprinkle 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds on the top.

Serve over rice.

Makes 6 servings, 15 WW PointsPlus each