Hong Kong-style fried fish and squid balls with dark soy noodles

Step 1

Bring 1.5 litres/2½ pints of water to the boil and add the dried rice noodles. Cook for 10 minutes until al dente, drain under cold water, drizzle over the sesame oil and toss together to prevent the noodles from sticking. Set aside.

Step 2

For the coriander fish balls, place the chopped haddock and squid in a food processor, add the salt, ground white pepper, oyster sauce, Shaoxing rice wine, egg white and cornflour, and mix well to a light paste.

Step 3

Spoon out into a bowl, sprinkle over the finely chopped coriander stems and mix well. Using two spoons, shape into balls – the mixture should make 12 balls of 3.5cm/1¾ in diameter.

Step 4

Quater-fill a deep-fat fryer or wok with the rapeseed oil and preheat to 180C (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.) Drop in the balls and cook until they float to the surface and turn golden-brown. Carefully spoon the balls out and drain on kitchen paper.

Step 5

For the garnish, drop the kale one by one into the oil and fry until crisp, then drain on kitchen paper. Combine the salt, ground white pepper and sugar in a small bowl. Lightly dust the kale with the mixture to coat.

Step 6

For the noodle stir-fry, heat a wok over high heat, add the rapeseed oil until hot. Add the ginger for a few seconds, then add the shiitake mushroom and smoked tofu pieces and cook for 2 minutes, or until browning at the edges.

Step 7

Sprinkle over the crispy kale and fresh coriander and serve immediately with the coriander fish balls.