Spicy Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles
Ingredients
1 teaspoon oil
1/2 pound ground pork
2 teaspoons Hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons Shaoxing wine
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 8-ounce package ramen noodles
2 cups spinach
4 stalks bok choy
4 green onions trimmed and sliced through the length
For the sauce:
1/3 cup chili oil
2 tablespoons Chinese sesame paste
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon five spice powder
¼ teaspoon ground Sichuan peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
Directions
In a heavy skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Add the ground pork and cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until the meat is well browned. Add the hoisin sauce, wine, soy sauce, five-spice powder, and salt. Stir to mix well and then remove from the heat.
Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles according to the package directions. In the last minute of cooking, add the bok choy. When the cooking is complete, remove the bok choy. Save 1 cup of the cooking water. Drain the noodles and rinse under warm water.
In a small bowl, make the sauce. Mix together the chili oil, sesame paste, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, five-spice powder, ground Sichuan peppercorns, black pepper, and ground coriander. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved noodle cooking water.
Divide the noodles among 4 bowls. Add one piece of bok choy to each bowl. Spoon the sauce over the noodles and top with the pork. Garnish with the green onions and serve.
