Szechuan Dan Dan Noodles Recipes

DAN DAN NOODLES

Steps:

• To make the chili oil: In a small pot, add the Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon stick, star anise, and oil. Over medium low heat, slowly heat to 325 degrees, and then turn off the heat. Wait 6 - 7 minutes, then remove the peppercorns, cinnamon stick, and star anise with a slotted spoon. Add the crushed red pepper flakes and allow them to steep in the hot oil. It should start smelling fragrant, almost like popcorn. Allow the oil to cool. This makes more chili oil than you'll need, but you'll be glad to have it on hand for use in other dishes. Store in a glass jar and keep refrigerated.
• To make the meat mixture: In a wok, heat a teaspoon of oil over medium heat, and brown the ground pork. Add the sweet bean sauce, shaoxing wine, dark soy sauce, and five spice powder. Cook until all the liquid is evaporated. Set aside. Heat the other 2 teaspoons of oil in the wok over medium heat, and sautee the sui mi ya cai (pickled vegetables) for a few minutes. Set aside.
• To make the sauce: Mix together all the sauce ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning if you like. You can loosen it with more hot water, add more Sichuan peppercorn powder, etc.
• To prepare the noodles and veggies: Cook the noodles according to package directions and drain. Blanch the greens in the noodle water, and drain.
• Divide the sauce among six bowls (or four if you want larger servings), followed by the noodles and the leafy greens. Add the cooked pork and sui mi ya cai over the top. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts (optional) and scallions.
• Mix everything together and enjoy!

DAN DAN NOODLES

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients except oil and chicken stock. Then gently stir in oil and stock - oil should be sitting on surface. Set aside.
• Mix together hoisin, soy, Chinese wine and five spice ("Sauce").
• Heat oil in a skillet or wok over high heat. Add pork and cook, breaking it up as you, until it changes from pink to white. Add Sauce and cook for 1 minute, then transfer into a bowl.
• Return skillet to stove, reduce to medium heat. Add oil into middle of skillet.
• Add Sui mi ya cai and stir for 30 seconds, just to warm through. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Cook noodles per packet directions.
• Add choi sum for last 1 minute of cooking.
• Drain.
• Ladle 1/4 of Dan Dan Sauce into a bowl. Pile in noodles, top with pork and Sui mi ya cai. Place choi sum on side.
• Sprinkle with peanuts and green onions and serve.
• To eat, mix it all up to coat the noodles well with Sauce, then devour!

EASY SZECHUAN DAN DAN NOODLES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a small mixing bowl, add the sesame paste, sesame oil, and black rice vinegar. Whisk to combine.
• Continue whisking as you add the remaining sauce ingredients. Taste and add sugar if needed.
• Cook the dried noodles according to the package directions. Drain in a colander. (Do not rinse unless the package directions say to do so.)
• Place the noodles in a large (preferably warm) bowl. Whisk the sauce again and then stir it into the noodles.
• Dish the noodles into individual bowls and garnish with the chopped peanuts and spring onions.

SZECHUAN DAN DAN NOODLES

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.

DAN DAN MEIN (SPICY SZECHUAN NOODLES)

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.

SZECHUAN DAN DAN NOODLES

Steps:

• Combine first 8 ingredients in small bowl, add water if thinner consistency is desired.
• Cook noodles in boiling water until tender but still firm, checking frequently to avoid overcooking.
• Drain and transfer to serving bowl.
• Add spinach/watercress and sauce; toss lightly and serve.