Stir-fried rice vermicelli with sauropus androgynus

Sauropus androgynus is commonly known as 'mani cai' in Chinese or 'cangkuk manis' in Malay. It is popularly grown and eaten in East Malaysia and it's green leaves are tasty and sweet, even if simple stir-fried with eggs as a vegetable dish in a meal. Today, I would like to share with all food lovers my stir-fried rice vermicelli with sauropus androgynus.

This is what you need: 

• 2 pieces of rice vermicelli (soak till soft and drain)

• a bundle of sauropus androgynus (pluck the leaves, wash and break the leaves into smaller pieces)

• a cup of chicken breast meat (slice into smaller pieces and marinate with a bit of light soya sauce)

• 2 eggs (lightly beaten just before cooking)

• a cup of dried shrimps (wash, soak, drain and lightly pounded)

• 4 tbsp. of shallots and 3 tbsp. of garlic (chopped)

• water (gradually add when stir-frying till the rice vermicelli is soften and cooked)

Seasonings:

Light soya sauce, chicken stock granules and pepper (to taste)

Methods:

1. In a heated wok, put 5 tbsp. of oil and fry 3 tbsp. of chopped shallots first as the shallots takes longer time to brown, then follow by 2 tbsp. of garlic.  Stir well till both are well fried and drain.
2. In the same oil, fry the  dried prawns, stir well till crunchy and drain.
3. In the same wok, put in extra oil (if needed), fry the remaining 1 tbsp. of chopped shallots and garlic till lightly brown, add in the chicken slices and fry till almost cooked, then put in the sauropus androgynus and give it a quick mix.  
4. Put in the rice vermicelli and fry, add in the light soya sauce, chicken stock granules and water, stirring well and taste the correct seasonings.
5. Clear the middle of the wok by scraping the dish to the side of the wok, put a bit of oil and pour in the lightly beaten eggs, when about to set stir with the spatula and give it a quick mix, drizzle pepper over, off the heat and continue to stir till well combined.  
6. Dish the fried rice vermicelli onto a large plate, topped with fried dried shrimps, shallots and garlic.
7. Serve with sliced chilies, light soya sauce and juice of lime!

Notes:

1. The sauropus androgynus doesn't need a long time to cook, if overcooked it will turn dark colour which affects the taste too.  If it is your first attempt cooking this dish, I advice to cook in smaller portion.
2. The rice vermicelli and sauropus androgynus both needs more oil to cook so the dish won't appear too dry.
3. Another tip to share, stir-fry the sauropus androgynus with oil, shallots and garlic till well mixed, dish up and put aside, return it to the wok  when the rice vermicelli is almost cooked.