Cold Pasta: A Refreshing and Unique Dish
Cold Pasta: A Refreshing and Unique Dish
Enjoy a Special Treat with Cold Pasta
Beat the heat and tantalize your taste buds with this refreshing and savory cold pasta dish! Perfect for days when you lack appetite or for a special home-cooked meal. We use pork for added depth of flavor, complemented by fresh vegetables and a sweet-and-tangy sauce for an unforgettable experience. This recipe is detailed to ensure even beginners can follow along with ease.
Main Ingredients- Pork 250g (thinly sliced for stir-fry or bulgogi)
- Spaghetti noodles 2 servings (approx. 180-200g)
- Garlic 4 cloves
- 1/2 Onion
- 1/3 Cucumber
- 1/2 Tomato
Pork Marinade & Stir-fry Seasoning- Mihyang (or Mirin/Cooking Wine) 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Oyster sauce 1 Tbsp
- Mihyang (or Mirin/Cooking Wine) 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Oyster sauce 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing all your ingredients. Thinly slice the garlic. Slice half the onion for stir-frying and thinly julienne the other half for the sauce. Slice the cucumber and tomato into bite-sized pieces. Pat the pork dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Step 2
Fill a large pot with plenty of water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the spaghetti noodles. Stir gently with chopsticks or a fork to prevent them from sticking together.
Step 3
Cook the pasta for approximately 8-9 minutes. For a chewier texture, aim for 8 minutes; for a softer texture, cook for 9 minutes. You can also refer to the cooking time suggested on the pasta packaging.
Step 4
Drain the cooked pasta immediately and rinse it under cold running water to cool it down completely. Rinsing with cold water firms up the noodles and enhances their chewy texture. Drain thoroughly in a colander, ensuring no excess water remains, which could cause the pasta to clump.
Step 5
In a separate bowl, place the pork and add 1 Tbsp of Mihyang (or Mirin/Cooking Wine) to marinate. Gently massage it into the meat. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to tenderize the pork and remove any gamey odor.
Step 6
Heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the marinated pork and sliced garlic. Stir-fry until the pork starts to change color. Then, add 2 Tbsp of soy sauce and 1 Tbsp of oyster sauce, and continue to cook until the pork is glossy and well-coated.
Step 7
When the pork is almost cooked through, add the julienned onion (for stir-frying) and cook together until the onion becomes translucent and slightly caramelized. The sweetness of the onion will blend with the pork, enhancing its flavor.
Step 8
Now, let’s make the cold pasta sauce. In a wide bowl, combine 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 2 Tbsp vinegar, and 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Mix well. Add the julienned onion (for the sauce) and toss it with the dressing. Letting it sit for a bit will mellow the onion’s sharpness and bring out its sweetness.
Step 9
Add the drained spaghetti noodles to the bowl with the sauce and toss thoroughly to coat each strand evenly. This step is crucial for ensuring the pasta absorbs the delicious dressing. Finally, arrange the sliced cucumber and tomato on top. For an extra touch, you can serve it with a boiled egg on the side. Enjoy your refreshing cold pasta!
