Zha Jiang Mian Noodles

Ingredients

• ½ lb of Spicy Mexican Chipotle Plant-Based Sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced ¼ inch thick
• 1 lb potatoes, cut into ⅓ inch cubes
• 1 large brown onion, cut into ⅓ inch cubes
• ½ lb pressed beancurd (doufu gan), cut into 1⁄3 inch cubes, substitute up to 1⁄4 lb with Xiang Gu (Shiitake) mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons Mustard Green Pickles, chopped fine
• 1-2 tablespoons preserved Mandarin "Meyer" Lemon, chopped fine
• ½ tablespoon chopped fermented red chilies, optional for spicy kick
• 1-2 tablespoons oil
• ¼ cup of fermented broad bean paste / Douban Jiang (contains chilies)
• ¼ cup of fermented sweet wheat paste / Tian Mian Jiang
• 1-2 teaspoons salt, to taste
• 3 tablespoons dark soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
• about 2 cups of very hot or boiling water
• ¼ cup of cornstarch or potato starch
• 1 cup room temperature water
• 2 lbs dried wheat noodles, or 4 lbs fresh
• 1⁄2 lb cucumbers, cut into matchsticks
• 1 clove garlic, smashed + minced
• pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or fruit vinegar, such as persimmon or apple