Rice Noodles with Chinese Chives, Shrimp, and Pork

• 1/2 pound medium dried flat rice noodles
• 1 1/4 teaspoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 3 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons canola or other neutral oil
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped into pea-sized pieces
• 1/3 pound ground pork, coarsely chopped to loosen
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1 pound Chinese chives, bottom 1/2 inch trimmed and cut into 3-inch lengths
• 2 or 3 limes, quartered

1. Place the noodles in a bowl and cover with hot tap water.
2. Let soak for 15 to 20 minutes, until they are pliable and opaque.
3. Drain and use scissors to cut them into 3- to 4-inch lengths.
4. To make the flavoring sauce, in a small bowl, combine the sugar, fish sauce, and water and stir to dissolve the sugar.
5. Set aside.
6. In a wok or large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
7. Add the garlic and stir-fry for 15 seconds, or until fragrant.
8. Add the shrimp and pork and stir briefly to break up the meat.
9. Sprinkle in the salt and sugar.
10. Keep stirring, and when the shrimp and pork have turned color, after about 2 minutes, add the Chinese chives.
11. Because there is so much food in the pan now, use 2 cooking utensils to stir and toss the ingredients, ensuring even exposure to the heat.
12. (Think of tossing a big salad.)
13. When the chives have collapsed by one-third of their original volume, after about 3 minutes, add the noodles and combine well.
14. When all of the ingredients are well combined, give the flavoring sauce a stir and pour over the mixture.
15. Continue stirring and tossing for 2 to 3 minutes longer, or until the noodles and chives are soft and cooked.
16. Remove from the heat, squeeze 4 lime wedges (1 lime) over the noodles, and mix well to distribute the flavors.
17. Transfer to a serving plate and serve with the remaining lime wedges.

rice noodles, sugar, fish sauce, water, other neutral oil, garlic, shrimp, ground pork, salt, sugar, chinese chives

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/rice-noodles-with-chinese-chives-shrimp-and-pork-382954 (may not work)