Japanese leek noodles

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 500g penne
• 2 leek(s)
• 500 g minced beef or mixed minced meat
• 6 g dashi
• 100 ml soy sauce
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp sake
• 3 tbsp sesame seeds

Instructions

Working time approx. 15 minutes; Cooking/baking time approx. 15 minutes; Total time approx. 30 minutes

For the noodles, heat a pot of water and add the dashi, soy sauce, and sake (about half the specified amount). In a second pot, brown the minced meat and add the leek, cut into 1 cm wide rings, and fry. After about 5 minutes, when the meat is cooked, press in the garlic cloves, add the soy sauce, sake, and sugar, and let it simmer for a while. Before adding the noodles to the seasoned water, add about three ladles of the stock to the meat. The sauce can be thickened with cornstarch. When the noodles are al dente, drain the water and mix the noodles into the minced meat and leek mixture. The sesame seeds can be added as is, or browned briefly in a pan and then mixed in. They are also great for garnishing the meal.