Dan Dan Mein Spicy Szechuan Noodles Recipes

Steps:

• Heat a wok over low heat and dry-fry the Szechuan peppercorns for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
• Add the peanut oil and cook over low heat for 10 minutes to infuse it with the flavour of the peppercorns.
• Cool, then strain the oil into a saucepan, discarding the peppercorns.
• Add the chicken stock, preserved radish, soy sauce, black vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, chili oil and white pepper to the peppercorn oil in the saucepan.
• Keep warm over medium heat.
• Meanwhile, either soak udon noodles for a few minutes in hot water, drain and add to stock mixture, or cook wheat noodles for 2 minutes in boiling water, drain and add to mixture.
• Heat the extra oil in wok over high heat and stir fry the pork til brown and crispy, about 3-5 minutes.
• Divide noodle/broth mixture into four soup bowls, top with the pork and garnish with spring onion.
• Eat, slurp and make appreciative noises at will!

Steps:

• Crush the garlic cloves with the side of a cleaver, then peel and chop coarsely.
• Peel the ginger, then dice finely.
• Place the garlic and ginger into a mortar, add salt, then pulverize with a pestle.
• Add the water to the mashed garlic and ginger mixture, stir until well combined, and set aside.
• Chop the green onions very finely, then measure – you will need 4 tablespoons in total.
• In each of four small bowls, place 1 tablespoon of the garlic-ginger-water mixture, 1 tablespoon of chopped green onions, 2 teaspoons hot chili oil, 1/8 teaspoon ground roasted Szechuan peppercorns, 4 teaspoons Asian roasted sesame paste, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and ½ teaspoon sugar, and mix well.
• Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil and cook the noodles according to the directions on the package, until al dente (fresh Chinese noodles usually take from 5 to 10 minutes – don’t overcook).
• Drain, and divide the steaming hot noodles between four plates.
• Each person individually mixes his sauce ingredients together with his noodles.
• For the chili oil: Heat the oil until it is just beginning to smoke.
• Remove from heat, add the hot red pepper flakes, and stir.
• The mixture will foam, and will smell very strong!
• It can be kept for months under refrigeration.

Steps:

• Make the ginger-garlic water.
• Fry the Red-Pepper flakes in oil. This creates smoke if done in a frying pan, so cover it up or else do it with less oil in the microwave. Just buy the pre-made pepper flakes in oil at the Chinese supermarket to save a step.
• Chinese sesame paste (ji ma jiang) or Middle-Eastern tahini sauce is normally used. Peanut butter may be substituted if you can't find sesame paste. It's not the same, but it'll do.
• Pre-ground Szechuan peppercorns *might* be available at the Chinese supermarket. I haven't looked for it because I make it myself. It's called "Hua jiao fen". The peppercorns are called "Hua jiao".
• Each person can assemble their own noodles using the below toppings. A mound of shredded cucumbers makes it even more delicious.
• 1 serving noodles.
• 1-2 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Water.
• 2 tsp chili flake oil.
• 2 tbsp sesame paste.
• 1 tbsp scallions.
• 1 big pinch roasted Szechuan peppercorn powder.
• Add soy sauce, 1/2 tsp black rice vinegar, and sugar to taste. Add one tbsp shredded Szechuan preserved vegetables or a mound of cucumbers. The Szechuan vegetables is the authentic way --.
• Bon appetit or "Duo chi".

Steps:

• Combine pork and soy sauce in a small bowl and mix well.
• Heat a wok or large skillet until hot. Stir-fry, stirring with a spatula to break it into small pieces. When the pork is lightly browned, about 3 minutes, remove and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to boil. (This will be for the noodles.) While the water is heating, go to the next step.
• Reheat the wok (add oil if needed) and stir-fry the garlic, ginger, and onions until aromatic, about 1 minute.
• Add peanut butter, soy sauce, chilli oil, sesame oil, Sichuan pepper, salt, and chicken stock and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.
• Meanwhile, when the pot of water has come to boil, toss in noodles and cook according to package directions. Drain well.
• To serve, divide noodles into individual bowls or put them all into a large bowl for sharing. Ladle the sauce on top, top with pork and chopped peanuts, and serve while hot.

Steps:

• Cook the noodles until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water; drain again and toss with the sesame oil and peanut oil.
• Combine the sauce ingredients and correct seasoning, adding more heat if you wish.
• Toss with the noodles and garnish with green onion and cilantro.
• This is traditionally served cold or at room temperature.