Dan Dan Noodles

Name: Dan Dan Noodles
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 lb Chinese wheat noodles; 1/2 lb ground pork; 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, ground; 2 tbsp Sichuan chili oil; 2 tbsp Chinese sesame paste (or tahini); 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar; 1 tsp sugar; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced; 4 green onions, chopped; 2 tbsp preserved mustard greens (ya cai), chopped; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1/2 cup chicken stock or water; to taste salt

A classic Sichuan street food featuring spicy noodles with a savory pork topping and creamy sesame sauce. The combination of numbing Sichuan peppercorns, chili oil, and sesame creates an addictively complex flavor profile.

35 minMediumServes 4520 cal/serving

ChineseLunchStovetopStandard

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Ingredients

1 lb Chinese wheat noodles
1/2 lb ground pork
1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, ground
2 tbsp Sichuan chili oil
2 tbsp Chinese sesame paste (or tahini)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar
1 tsp sugar
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
4 green onions, chopped
2 tbsp preserved mustard greens (ya cai), chopped
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup chicken stock or water
to taste salt

Instructions

1

Make the sauce by mixing 2 tbsp Chinese sesame paste (or tahini), 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, half of the 2 tbsp Sichuan chili oil, and half of the 1 tsp ground Sichuan peppercorns in a bowl. Add 1/2 cup chicken stock or water and whisk until smooth.
2

Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, and half of the 4 chopped green onions. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3

Add 1/2 lb ground pork and break it up with a spatula. Cook until no longer pink, about 3-4 minutes.
4

Add 2 tbsp chopped preserved mustard greens (ya cai) and stir-fry for another minute.
5

Season the pork mixture with a pinch of to taste salt and the remaining Sichuan peppercorns. Remove from heat and set aside.
6

Cook 1 lb Chinese wheat noodles according to package instructions. Drain well.
7

For each serving, place a portion of the sauce in the bottom of a bowl. Add hot noodles on top and then spoon the pork mixture over the noodles.
8

Garnish with the remaining green onions and a drizzle of chili oil. Serve immediately, mixing everything together before eating.

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Questions

How do I know when Dan Dan Noodles is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 3: cook until no longer pink.

What can I use instead of Sichuan peppercorns in Dan Dan Noodles?

The entry for Dan Dan Noodles calls for 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, ground. In its place: Nothing else produces the numbing tingle. Black pepper with a little lemon zest and ground coriander gives the citrusy bite without it.

Can I use ground chicken or turkey instead of ground pork in Dan Dan Noodles?

Yes. Use dark-meat ground chicken or turkey if you can, and add a teaspoon of oil per half pound, since pork brings fat that poultry does not. As written, the entry for Dan Dan Noodles uses 1/2 lb ground pork.

How hot is Dan Dan Noodles?

Moderately. The heat in Dan Dan Noodles comes from 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, ground. For a milder plate, halve the peppercorns; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Does Dan Dan Noodles contain soy?

Yes: 2 tbsp soy sauce. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten and soy. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

How many calories are in Dan Dan Noodles?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) is about 520 calories, with 22 g protein, 48 g carbohydrate and 18 g fat, plus 2 g fiber and 1080 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

How long does Dan Dan Noodles keep?

Refrigerate what is left of Dan Dan Noodles within two hours and eat it within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop. The pasta keeps drinking the sauce as it sits; loosen it with a splash of water or stock.

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