½tspSichuan peppercorn powderground whole Sichuan peppercorns in a mortar and pestle
½cupof your prepared chili oilscary, but yes!
2clovesGarlicvery finely minced
¼cupHot cooking water from the noodles
Noodles & Veg
450gWhite noodlesfresh or dried medium thickness
1Small bunch leafy greensspinach, bok choy, or choy sum
Peanutschopped
Scallionschopped
Instructions
Chili oil
In a small pot, add the Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon stick, star anise, and oil. Over medium low heat, slowly heat to 325 degrees, and then turn off the heat.
Wait 6 - 7 minutes, then remove the peppercorns, cinnamon stick, and star anise with a slotted spoon.
Add the crushed red pepper flakes and allow them to steep in the hot oil. It should start smelling fragrant, almost like popcorn.
Allow the oil to cool. This makes more chili oil than you’ll need, but you’ll be glad to have it on hand for use in other dishes. Store in a glass jar and keep refrigerated.
Meat mixture
In a wok, heat a teaspoon of oil over medium heat, and brown the ground pork.
Add the sweet bean sauce, shaoxing wine, dark soy sauce, and five spice powder. Cook until all the liquid is evaporated. Set aside.
Heat the other 2 teaspoons of oil in the wok over medium heat, and sautee the sui mi ya cai (pickled vegetable) for a few minutes. Set aside.
Sauce
Mix together all the sauce ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning if you like. You can loosen it with more hot water, add more Sichuan peppercorn powder, etc.
Noodles and veggies
Cook the noodles according to package directions and drain. Blanch the greens in the noodle water, and drain.
Divide the sauce among four bowls, followed by the noodles and the leafy greens. Add the cooked pork and sui mi ya cai over the top. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts (optionaand scallions.