Dan Dan Noodles with Minced Pork

Ingredients

• 200 g wheat noodles — fresh ramen or thin dried wheat noodles
• 250 g minced pork
• 2 tbsp Chinese sesame paste — or smooth tahini
• 2 tbsp chilli oil — Sichuan chilli oil with sediment, plus extra to serve
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Chinkiang black vinegar
• 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine — or dry sherry
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 cloves garlic — finely grated or minced
• 3 spring onions — white and green parts separated, finely chopped
• 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns
• 250 ml chicken stock — hot
• 2 bok choy — halved lengthways
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• a pinch salt

Method

1. 1

   Prep the aromatics

   Separate the spring onion whites from the greens and finely chop both. Grate or mince the garlic. Halve the bok choy lengthways. In a small dry pan, toast the Sichuan peppercorns over medium heat until fragrant, then crush them finely.

   1 min · until fragrant and starting to smoke

   Using: Chef's knife, Cutting board, Grater / microplane, Skillet

2. 2

   Brown the pork

   Heat the vegetable oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced pork and a pinch of salt, and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it loses its pink colour and starts to crisp around the edges.

   5 min · until golden and crisp around the edges

   Using: Skillet, Wooden spoon

3. 3

   Flavour the pork

   Add the Shaoxing wine and let it bubble for a moment, then stir in the soy sauce to coat. Cook until the pork is glossy and the liquid has been absorbed.

   1 min · until glossy and nearly dry

   Using: Skillet, Wooden spoon

4. 4

   Start the sauce base

   In a mixing bowl large enough to hold the noodles later, combine the sesame paste, chilli oil, black vinegar, sugar, garlic, and the finely crushed Sichuan peppercorns. Stir to a loose paste.

   Using: Mixing bowl

5. 5

   Cook the noodles

   Bring the chicken stock or water to the boil in a large pot. Add the wheat noodles and cook, stirring occasionally, until just al dente. Do not drain yet.

   4 min · until just tender