Dan Dan Noodles (Spicy Sichuan noodles)

Dan Dan Noodles (Spicy Sichuan noodles)
Dan Dan Noodles – the iconic spicy Sichuan noodles, a flavour explosion with slippery noodles tossed in an intense sesame chilli sauce and pork.
Dan Dan Noodles (Spicy Sichuan noodles)

Ingredients

DAN DAN SAUCE:

  • 2 tbsp Chinese sesame paste (sub tahini, Note 1)
  • 1.5 tbsp Chinese chilli paste in oil , adjust spiciness (Note 2)
  • 4 tbsp light soy sauce (Note 3)
  • 2 garlic cloves , minced
  • 3 tsp white sugar
  • 1/2 tsp Chinese five spice powder (Note 4)
  • 1 tsp Sichuan pepper powder , preferably freshly ground (Note 5)
  • 3 tbsp (or more!) chilli oil , preferably Chinese (Note 6)
  • 3/4 cup (185ml) chicken broth/stock , hot, low sodium

PORK TOPPING:

  • 2 tsp Hoisin sauce
  • 1 tsp dark soy sauce (Note 7)
  • 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (sub 2 tbsp extra chicken stock)
  • 1/2 tsp Chinese five spice powder (Note 4)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 250g/ 8oz pork mince (ground pork)

SUI MI YA CAI (PRESERVED MUSTARD GREENS):

  • 1 tsp vegetable oil
  • 30g (1/4 cup) Sui Mi Ya Cai (preserved mustard greens) , finely chopped (Note 8)

TO SERVE:

    • 500g/1lb white fresh noodles , medium thickness (Note 9)
    • 16 choy sum stems , cut into 15cm pieces
    •  green onions , finely sliced
    • 1 tbsp peanuts , finely chopped (optional)
IInstructions
    • Mix all ingredients except oil and chicken stock. Then gently stir in oil and stock – oil should be sitting on surface. Set aside.

    PORK:

    • 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.

    SUI MI YA CAI (PRESERVED MUSTARD GREENS):

    • 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.

    NOODLES & CHOI SUM:

    • Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Cook noodles per packet directions.
    • Add choi sum for last 1 minute of cooking.
    • Drain.

    ASSEMBLE:

    • 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!
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