Spicy Szechuan Noodles

Packed with bold flavors of garlic, ginger, chili oil, and Szechuan peppercorns, this dish is perfect for spice lovers and can be made in less than 30 minutes. Tossed with ground pork or chicken, and topped with fresh scallions and crunchy peanuts, these noodles make for a satisfying meal that’s bursting with heat and umami.

Ingredients:

Mix the pork:

• 1/2 lb ground pork

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine

• dash of white pepper

For the Sauce:

• 1/4 cup peanut butter

• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar

• 1 1/4 cups chicken broth

  For the Sauté:

• 10 cloves of garlic minced

• 1 tablespoon canola oil

• 1 tablespoon grated ginger

• 1 tsp crushed red pepper

• 1 jalapeno pepper

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

  Fried garlic:

• 5 cloves of garlic chopped

• canola oil

For Garnish:

• 2-3 green onions, thinly sliced

• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

• 2 tbsp crushed peanuts

• Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)

• Fried garlic

• chili oil for drizzling

Instructions:

1. Mix the sauce:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the peanut butter, oyster sauce, vinegar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, chicken broth and a dash of white pepper. Whisk together and set aside.

3. Next:

• In a small bowl, combine the pork, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, Chinese wine, and white pepper. Mix to combine and set aside.

• Toast the Sichuan peppercorns in a small dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Grind them with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. Set aside.

• Fry the garlic in a small sauce pan with just enough canola oil to cover the garlic for 1 or 2 minutes until the garlic begins to turn golden. Drain in a fine mesh or on a paper towel.

• Cook the pasta 1 minute less than the package says.

3. Cook the Ground Meat:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork mixture, breaking it into small pieces, until browned, about 4-5 minutes.

• Add the minced garlic, ginger, jalapeno, and crushed red pepper and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

• Add the sauce mixture and simmer on low for 3 to 5 minutes until sauce thickens.

• Stir in sesame oil.

4. Toss the noodles:

• Add the cooked noodles to the skillet along with the sauce tossing everything to coat evenly.

5. Garnish and Serve:

• Serve the noodles in bowls and top with sliced green onions, fried garlic, crushed peanuts, and cilantro.