Lighter 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!

LIGHTER DAN DAN NOODLES

Steps:

• Toast the Szechuan peppercorns in a dry frying pan for 1 minute, then set aside. Add the oil to the pan and fry the ginger for 1 to 2 minutes, then add the texturized vegetable protein and toasted peppercorns. Fry until the TVP is crisp and dry.
• Blanch the greens in a saucepan of boiling water, then remove from the water with a slotted spoon, leaving the water to cook your noodles with. Add the greens to the TVP and toss well, before adding the spring onions, rice wine and 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce.
• Cook the noodles in the boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes, then drain and divide between four bowls. Mix the rest of the soy sauce with the rice wine vinegar and chile oil. Divide the greens and mince over the noodles, drizzle with the chile sauce and serve.

DAN DAN NOODLES

Steps:

• Heat the neutral oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add the pork, salt and pepper. Using a wooden spoon, break up the pork into smaller pieces and cook until browned and the pork is no longer pink, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Deglaze with the cooking wine, scraping any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the soy sauce. Stir to combine and cook until fragrant, 20 to 30 seconds. Add the bok choy, season with salt and cook until bright green, the leaves are wilted and the stems are tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Keep warm while you cook the noodles.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the noodles and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the noodles with a spider or tongs and place directly into the bowl with the Peanut Sauce. Toss to combine, adding 1 tablespoon reserved pasta water at a time, as needed, to reach desired consistency.
• To assemble, plate the noodles. Top with the pork and bok choy mixture. Garnish with a drizzle of the Chile Oil and the chopped peanuts.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the chile oil, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey and a couple turns of black pepper until smooth. Set aside.
• Heat the oil and Sichuan peppercorns in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until the peppercorns start to sizzle and become fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. In a small jar, combine the red chile pepper powder and salt. When the oil is hot, pour over the red chile and allow to sit and steep for a few minutes. Set aside.

DAN DAN NOODLES

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rapid boil. Cook egg noodles at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, 7 to 9 minutes. Drain in a colander over a bowl, reserving 3/4 cup cooking liquid. Place noodles in a large bowl.
• Heat oil in a large wok over medium-high heat. Add peanuts to pan; saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Combine peanuts, soy sauce, sambal oelek, sugar, garlic, and ginger in a mini food chopper; process until finely ground.
• Cook pork and salt in a wok over medium-high heat until no longer pink, stirring to crumble, about 8 minutes. Add peanut mixture and 3/4 cup cooking liquid to pork; bring to a boil. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add pork mixture, cucumber, green onions, cilantro, and lime juice to noodles; toss well. Serve.