Cheat’s Mie Goreng

Today we are anchored in Ao Chalong, Thailand, and the monsoon weather has undoubtedly set in! The rain has been lashing at us all morning with barely a break. The fridge and freezer were almost bare, and there was no way we would go to shore in the dinghy to get lunch. So with what I had already onboard, I made a quick, easy cheats mie goreng (fried noodles).

My cheats mie goreng is an easy-to-make lunch. The two-minute (mie goreng) noodles that we bought in Indonesia and Malaysia are pretty good as far as instant noodles go. With a little effort, instant noodles can become a more appetising meal.

I soak the noodles in boiling water until they are tender. In the meantime, I chop garlic, chilli and Asian shallot (we found shallots everywhere as we cruised South East Asia). The other veggies I use will depend on what I have on hand, e.g. I have used carrot (julienned), capsicum and beans. I often use Shitake mushrooms which I keep dried (soaked in boiling water and then sliced).

I add oil to my wok and heat. Then I sauté the garlic, shallot and chilli until soft. Then add whatever vegetables (or meat) I use and cook through.

Next, I add the noodles and the flavour sachets, reserving the crispy onion to garnish when done. I toss the noodles until they are heated and serve on a plate. Top with a fried egg and garnished with cucumber and crispy onion.

Yummy, warm, savoury, and just what you need on a long sail or a miserable wet day like this!