Kerabu Beehoon (Kerabu Vermicelli Noodles)

This is a Nyonya style noodle - spicy, tangy, refreshing, and appetising!

Preparation does take a while, however when all ingredients are assembled the mixing is easy peasy job. Served cold it's perfect for a Summer picnic, or a big party. If you prefer a warm meal, you can heat it up in the microwave too.

This dish always reminds me of the lazy weekend picnics we had as kids along Batu Ferringhi stretch of beach in Penang. Nothing beats a refreshing light noodle to fill your tummy after a dip in the sea!

Recipe below has been adapted as living abroad presents a challenge in finding authentic ingredients. For those who love food, this shouldn't stop us from making good food. We make do with what we can get our hands on.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:
• 400g Vermicelli Noodles
• 400g Beansprouts
• 250-300g King Prawns
• 30-40g Dried Shrimps
• 30g Fresh Mint
• 30g Flat Leaf Parsley
• 15-20 Bulb Shallots
• 50g Desicated Coconut

Mixing Sauce:
• 3-4 Lime / 1.5 Lemon Juice
• 4 tbsp Tom Yum Paste
• 4 tbsp Bottled Sambal Belachen (Fresh Belachan if available)
• 2-3 tsp Fish Sauce (add more to suit personal taste)
• 1-2 tsp Sugar to taste

Method:
• Blanche noodles in boiling water, turn off heat and cover with lid for 4-5mins. Drain under tap water to prevent noodles from breaking. Set aside for later.
• Wash beansprouts, blanche and set aside for later.
• Cook king prawns in boiling water. Let cool, then halve or sliced thinly and set aside.
• Soak dried shrimps in hot water, drain and roughly pound into pulp.
• Thinly slice fresh mint, and flat leaf parsley.
• Peel shallots and finely slice.
• Lightly fry (without oil) desicated coconut in a shallow pan


• In a mixing bowl, add all mixing sauce ingredients, stir well and set aside.
• When all ingredients are gathered, in a large bowl or container mix thoroughly all the ingredients except desicated coconut and mint leaves for just before serving.

NOTE:Above recipe yields approximately 12-14 portions depending on how hungry the crowd you are feeding feels.

For a more authentic taste, source for below ingredients to replace the substitutes above:

• Asian Lime
• Asian Mint Leaves
• Fresh Shredded Coconut
• Freshly Pounded Sambal Belachan (alternatively use a blender)