Stir-fried starch knots (炒疙瘩/Chao Ge Da)

Chao ge da, or stir-fried starch knots, is a kind of Chinese pasta. A traditional Muslim snack, it was invented almost 100 years ago. The dough, made from wheat and corn flour, is chopped, boiled in water and then immersed in cold water. Fresh beef or chicken is sliced and stir-fried with oil and seasonings and then stir-fried again with the starch knots and various seasonal vegetables. The final product is a colorful and refreshing dish.