Shortcut Dan Dan Noodles Recipes

SHORTCUT DAN-DAN NOODLES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions. Drain, rinse well under cold water., then drain again Set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the ground pork and 2 teaspoons of the ginger and cook, breaking up the pork with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of the soy sauce, the chopped pickles, 3 tablespoons of the pickle brine, and 1/4 cup water. Cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, until the liquid evaporates from the skillet and the pork begins to brown again, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Whisk 1/4 cup water with the remaining 4 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 tablespoons pickle brine, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, the hot sesame oil and the remaining 1 teaspoon ginger in a large bowl until well combined. Add the noodles and toss to coat. Top with the pork, toss to combine and serve immediately.

DAN-DAN NOODLES

Steps:

• For the chile oil: Heat the oil, Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon stick and star anise in a small pot over medium-low heat until it reaches 325 degrees F, then remove from the heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove the peppercorns, cinnamon stick, and star anise with a slotted spoon and discard, then stir in the crushed red pepper flakes. Set the oil aside to cool.
• For the sauce: Whisk together the soy sauce, sesame paste, sugar, five-spice powder, Sichuan peppercorns, garlic and 1/4 cup of the chile oil in a medium bowl. Whisk in 1/3 cup hot water and set aside.
• For the noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the noodles according to the package directions, adding the bok choy, if using, for the last minute of cooking time. Drain in a colander and rinse well under cold running water to stop the cooking process. Toss the noodles with 1 teaspoon of the reserved chile oil and set aside.
• Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable or peanut oil in a seasoned wok over high heat until shimmering. Add the pork and cook, stirring and breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned, about 5 minutes. Add the Shaoxing wine, hoisin sauce and dark soy sauce and cook until all the liquid is evaporated and the pork is crispy, about 3 minutes. Add the sui mi ya cai, if using, and cook until it starts to sizzle, about 2 minutes. (Otherwise, remove from the heat after the pork is crispy.) Remove from the heat and add the reserved noodles and sauce to the wok, tossing well to coat. Place in a serving bowl, top with scallions and serve immediately.