mock duck noodle bowl

Have you ever tried mock duck?!  It's one of our favourite treats from Chinatown.  On my recent trip there I saw cans of "vegetarian chop suey", "vegetarian pork ribs" (?!) and "vegetarian chicken"!  We may try them at  some point depending how brave we are!  I enjoy the mock meat things every now and then just for something different.  There's a wonderful vegetarian cafe in Hobart called Shu Yuan that does a wonderful mock duck, if you're around that way :)

 This noodle bowl is one of my favourite ways with mock duck!

Mock duck noodle bowl
Inspired by The PPK

1 10 oz can mock duck (or equivalent amount homemade seitan)
8 oz vermicelli  rice noodles (I used 2 bundles of Taiwan noodles in a pack of 5, to serve 2)

Marinade:
1 chopped onion
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons minced lemon grass (from a jar)
Juice of one lime

Broth:
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 inch nub ginger, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 large onion or leek, roughly chopped
3 tablespoons minced lemongrass
4 cups vegetable stock
6 cups water
Juice of one lime

To serve:
Sweet chilli sauce
Thinly sliced red pepper
Beansprouts
Lots of fresh mint
Lots of fresh coriander
Lime wedges

First prepare the marinade. Toss everything into a container you can seal with a lid.  Then drain the mock duck (reserving the liquid), place in the container, put on the lid, shake gently to coat and leave for an hour to marinate, shaking a few times to keep everything nicely coated.

Now prepare the broth.

Preheat a stock pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and ginger and saute for about 5 minutes. Add the lemongrass, stock, reserved mock duck liquid and water. Cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower to a simmer for about 30 more minutes, or until everything else is done.

Now prepare the mock duck.

Preheat the oven to 220 C, and place the mock duck on a foil lined tray.  Bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes until the duck pieces are looking crispy and brown.  You can add the marinade to the broth if you like (it's yummy!)

Add the noodles to the simmering broth until cooked.  Taste broth and add more sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce or lime juice if it needs it.

Prepare bowls:
Place some noodles and broth in a large bowl. Mix in some fresh herbs, beansprouts, red pepper and chilli sauce. Top with crispy mock duck. Serve with a fork or chopstick and a large spoon.

And have a napkin handy to wipe your cheeks that will inevitably be smacked with noodles! :)