Dan Dan Noodles

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• Step 1

  Heat the neutral oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, for 4-5 minutes until browned and crispy. Add the minced ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.

  • 0.50 lb pork, ground (225 g)
    (can substitute with beef or chicken)
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil (14 g)
  • 1 tsp ginger, finely minced (3 g)
• Step 2

  Pour the Shaoxing wine around the edges of the pan and stir to combine. Add the chopped pickled mustard greens and light soy sauce. Continue to cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the pork is well-seasoned. Remove from heat and set aside.

  • 1 tbsp shaoxing cooking wine (15 g)
    (can substitute with dry sherry)
  • 2 tbsp pickled mustard greens, finely chopped (30 g)
  • 1 tbsp light soy sauce (18 g)
• Step 3

  In a large mixing bowl, combine garlic, chili oil, light soy sauce, Chinkiang (black) vinegar, sesame paste, ground Sichuan peppercorns, and sugar.

  • 3 clove garlic, minced or grated (9 g)
  • 2 tbsp chili oil (28 g)
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce (36 g)
  • 1 tsp black vinegar (5 g)
    (chinkiang or Chinese black vinegar)
  • 1.5 tbsp sesame paste (24 g)
    (can substitute with tahini or peanut butter)
  • 1 tsp sichuan peppercorn, ground (2 g)
  • 1/2 tsp sugar (2 g)
• Step 4

  Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Cook the noodles according to package directions. In the last minute of cooking, add the chopped leafy greens to the pot to blanch them. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy noodle water.

  • 1 lb noodles, fresh or dry (450 g)
  • 1 cup bok choy, blanched (70 g)
    (optional)
• Step 5

  Add a few tablespoons of the hot, reserved noodle water to the sauce bowl and whisk until the sauce is creamy and emulsified. Drain the noodles and greens well and immediately add them to the bowl with the sauce. Toss everything together until the noodles are thoroughly coated.
• Step 6

  To serve, top the noodles with the stir-fried pork, bok choy, green onions, and crushed peanuts.

  • 2 stalk green onion, chopped (30 g)
    (optional)
  • 2 tbsp peanuts, crushed (16 g)
    (optional)