Fried+rice+noodles

This easy Thai fried rice noodle dish starts with very thin noodles (called vermicelli 'rice stick' at Asian stores). Added to the rice noodles are shiitake mushrooms, red pepper, bean sprouts, and your choice of chicken or tofu if you're vegetarian/vegan. Add a special Thai sauce and you have a terrific noodle recipe that's great for any occasion, from everyday meals to a party-worthy dish. As a bonus, these rice noodles are healthy, low-fat, and gluten-free. ENJOY! 
 * Cooking**
 * Fried rice noodles.**

Ingredients:

 * 8 oz. very thin dried rice noodles ("vermicelli rice stick")
 * 1 to 1.5 cup fresh chicken pieces/strips, OR equivalent of cubed tofu
 * 3 cloves garlic
 * 1 thumb-size piece galangal or ginger, sliced thinly or cut into matchstick-like pieces
 * 1 cup or more fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced
 * 1 red bell pepper, sliced
 * 2-3 cups fresh bean sprouts
 * 1/2 cup chicken stock (or simulated chicken stock for vegetarians)
 * handful of fresh coriander
 * 2 1/2 Tbsp. oil
 * MARINADE:
 * 2 tsp. cornstarch dissolved in 3 Tbsp. soy sauce
 * STIR-FRY SAUCE:
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: left; text-decoration: inherit; text-decoration: inherit;">1 Tbsp. soy sauce (use wheat-free soy sauce for gluten-free diets)
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: left; text-decoration: inherit; text-decoration: inherit;">1 tsp. dark soy sauce (gluten-free diets substitute 1 Tbsp. wheat-free soy sauce)
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: left; text-decoration: inherit; text-decoration: inherit;">1 Tbsp. fish sauce (vegetarians substitute 1.5 Tbsp. soy sauce)
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: left; text-decoration: inherit; text-decoration: inherit;">1 tsp. sugar
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: left; text-decoration: inherit; text-decoration: inherit;">1 Tbsp. lime juice
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: left; text-decoration: inherit; text-decoration: inherit;">1/4 cup chicken stock OR faux chicken/vegetable stock
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: left; text-decoration: inherit; text-decoration: inherit;">1-2 tsp. chili sauce, OR 1/2 to 3/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (to taste)

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: left; text-decoration: inherit;">Preparation:
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; display: block; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; text-align: left; text-decoration: inherit;">
 * 1) <span style="font-family: inherit; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: inherit; text-decoration: inherit;">Marinate the chicken or tofu by pouring the cornstarch/soy sauce mixture over and stirring well. Set aside.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: inherit; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: inherit; text-decoration: inherit;">Soak rice noodles in a pot of hot water 5-12 minutes, or just until noodles are soft enough to eat, but still firm and a little bit 'crunchy' (they will finish cooking later). Drain and briefly rinse noodles with cold water to keep from sticking. Set aside.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: inherit; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: inherit; text-decoration: inherit;">Combine all stir-fry sauce ingredients, mixing them together in a cup. Set aside.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: inherit; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: inherit; text-decoration: inherit;">Heat a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add 2 Tbsp. oil and swirl around, then add the garlic, ginger, chicken or tofu (together with the marinade), mushrooms, and a few tablespoons of stock. Stir-fry 5 minutes, or until chicken or mushrooms are cooked. When pan becomes dry, add a little more chicken stock, 1-2 Tbsp. at a time - enough to keep the ingredients sizzling.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: inherit; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: inherit; text-decoration: inherit;">Add red pepper and stir-fry another 1-2 minutes. Add the noodles plus stir-fry sauce. Using two utensils, lift and turn the noodles or use a tossing motion, like tossing a salad. Stir-fry in this way until the sauce is well distributed throughout the noodles (1-2 minutes).
 * 6) <span style="font-family: inherit; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: inherit; text-decoration: inherit;">Add bean sprouts, continuing to stir-fry another minute. Remove from heat and taste-test for salt/flavor, adding 1 Tbsp. more fish sauce or soy sauce if not salty enough. If too salty, add another squeeze of lime juice.
 * 7) <span style="font-family: inherit; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: inherit; text-decoration: inherit;">To serve, lift noodles out of the wok or frying pan and mound on a serving platter. Sprinkle with fresh coriander and garnish with wedges of fresh-cut limes. For those who like it spicy, serve with [|Thai Chili Sauce] on the side, and ENJOY!