My friends are always nervous about inviting me to a meal because I cook for a living, but that’s exactly why you should invite me. I will never turn down being cooked for. I was recently invited to dinner and served this deliciousness. I immediately asked for the recipe, because I had to share with y’all.

—Vianney Rodriguez, Food Editor

1 package rice noodles (14 ounces)
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds lean ground pork
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cucumber, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
Sesame seeds, for garnish
Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Lime wedges, for garnish

1. Cook noodles according to package directions and set aside.

2. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce and ginger. Set aside.

3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook garlic and pork, breaking up with a spoon, until fully cooked, about 7 minutes.

4. Reduce heat to low and stir in prepared sauce. Simmer 3 minutes.

5. While the pork simmers, whisk together water and cornstarch in a small bowl until well blended. Stir into pork and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens.

6. Stir in cooked noodles. Serve warm, topped with carrots and cucumbers. Garnish with sesame seeds, cilantro and lime wedges.

Serves 4.