Spicy Szechuan Peanut Sauce Recipes

SZECHUAN SPICY PEANUTS (黄飞鸿花生, HUANG FEI HONG SPICY PEANUTS)

Steps:

• Cover peanuts with warm water. Let soak for 30 minutes to 4 hours. Peel and discard the skin. Drain and pat dry peanuts with paper towel.
• Combine all the ingredients for the spice mix in a small bowl.
• Add peanuts into a wok and oil to cover. Turn on medium heat. Cook until the peanuts start to sizzle. Turn to medium low heat. Cook and stir occasionally until the surface turns pale yellow. Transfer peanuts using a colander onto a plate layered with paper towels. Remove extra oil from the wok and reserve just 1 teaspoon.
• (Optional) Add chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns into the same wok. Cook and stir until fragrant.
• Return peanuts to wok. Add the spice mix. Stir to mix well so the peanuts are evenly covered with spices. Transfer peanuts onto a big plate to cool. Don't worry if the peanuts are not crispy enough when they're still warm. They'll crisp up and become crunchy once completely cooled.
• Serve immediately as a snack or store in an air-tight container.

SPICY SICHUAN PEANUT SAUCE

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor blend all ingredients with salt to taste until smooth. Transfer sauce to a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Peanut sauce keeps, covered and chilled, 1 week.
• To use peanut sauce:
• Boil 1 pound Asian noodles or spaghetti until al dents and drain in a colander. Rinse noodles under cold water until cool and drain. Toss noodles with about 3/4 cup sauce and finely chopped scallion to taste. Serves 4 to 6.

SPICY SZECHUAN PEANUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth.
• Transfer to a jar with a tight-fitting lid (keeps 1 week, chilled; or distribute among 3 small containers and freeze what you don’t want to use within a week).
• To use: Boil 1 lb Asian noodles or spaghetti until al dente.
• Toss with ¾ cup of sauce (or more to taste), finely chopped scallions and chopped peanuts.
• Note: In the winter, I eat these noodles hot.
• In summer I rinse under cold water, cool and drain and serve them as a spicy noodle salad, often adding shredded bok choy, carrots, snowpeas, lots more of the peanut sauce, etc.