I was drooling while writing out the recipe for this Har Meen. Mmmm…. I could smell the yummy prawn aroma from the broth. The flavour of this noodle is just unspeakable not to mention the tremendous amount of time and effort to put this recipe together. So I hope that after reading this recipe you will put in some nice comments in our blog for all these efforts to encourage me.  (Hahaha).

This Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodle has a tinge of spiciness with a robust full flavoured broth made from loads of prawn heads and shells. This recipe has been tried and tested many times and is always given a thumbs up!! So remember next time, when you’ve shelled your prawns don’t throw away the heads and shell, keep them for this yummilcious noodle. 🙂

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Ingredients:

700g of yellow noodles (blanched)

300g of rice vermicelli (blanched)

For Broth:

1.5kg prawn heads and shells, rinsed and drained

100g dried prawns, rinsed and drained

100g ikan billis without the heads, rinsed and drained

6 shallots, quartered

5 cloves garlic, lightly crushed

1 inch of ginger, sliced

15 cups water

2-3 pieces of rock sugar (about the size of a small ping pong ball) or to taste

800g of pork ribs (cut into pieces)

Salt to taste

For Chili Paste:

100g dried chilies (deseeded and soaked to soften)

75g shallots (peeled)

50g garlic (peeled)

3cm length of a block of belacan

2 tablespoons of water

Salt and sugar to taste

5 to 7 tablespoons of cooking oil
Toppings:

500g prawns (shelled, deveined, blanched)

6 hard-boiled eggs (shelled and half)

Some fish cake (sliced and blanched)

Some kangkong (blanched)

Some bean sprouts (blanched)

Some fried crispy shallots

500g lean pork meat (boiled and sliced thinly – optional)

Method:

Preparation of Chilli Paste:

1. Blend the chili paste ingredients (except the oil) until finely ground and well blended.
2. Heat up the wok and add cooking oil.
3. Add in the blended ingredients and stir fry for 5 minutes.
4. Mix in pinches of sugar and salt to taste. Set aside.

Preparation for the Broth:

5. Heat up the same wok (unwashed), add in a little oil.
   
6. Add in the shallots, garlic and ginger and fry till fragrant.
7. Add in the dried shrimps and ikan billis and fry for 2 minutes.
   
8. Add in the prawn heads and shell and fry till aromatic. At the bottom of the wok you will see some good prawn stock.
9. Fill a stock pot with 15 cups of water and bring it to boil.
10. Transfer the fried shrimp heads and shell and simmer on low heat for about 2 hours or longer; until the stock has developed its flavour.
11. Then strain the stock through a sieve and transfer the stock into another pot. Discard all the ingredients in the sieve.
12. Bring the stock to boil again, add 2 cubes of rock sugar and the chili paste. The amount you add will depend on how spicy you want it to be.
13. Add in the pork ribs and continue to boil in low heat for another 1 hour or longer; till the pork ribs are thoroughly cooked.
14. Adjust the taste by adding salt or rock sugar, if required.

Preparation for Garnishing and Serving:

1. Place a portion of yellow noodles, rice vermicelli, kangkong and bean sprouts in a bowl.
2. Ladle hot stock over it.
   
3. Top with pork ribs (or meat slices), sliced shrimp, and egg. Sprinkle with fried crispy shallots.
   
4. Serve immediately with some extra chili paste to taste.

Notes:

1. The above measurements are just a guide. Feel free to add or reduce the amount of noodles and seasoning.