DAN DAN NOODLES VEGAN RECIPES

Steps:

• Prepare the TVP. Soak the TVP in warm water for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, drain the water and squeeze out excess liquid from the re-hydrated TVP. Combine with minced mushrooms.
• Cook the Minced "Pork" Topping. In a non-stick pan, heat up vegetable oil on medium-high heat and cook the TVP and mushrooms until most moisture evaporates. Add the garlic, ginger, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, doubanjiang, and five spice. Cook together, occasionally stirring until golden-brown and crispy — this could take up to 10 minutes. Once crumbly and crispy, remove from the heat and set aside.
• Make the Spicy Sauce. Simply add all ingredients to a bowl and whisk to thoroughly combine. Note for a simplified version of the spicy sauce (as I've showed in recipe video): Heat up 4 tablespoons of neutral oil and pour it over 4 cloves of minced garlic, 2 tablespoons of red chili flakes, 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds, and 1-2 teaspoons of ground Sichuan pepper. Then finish with soy sauce, dark brown sugar, black vinegar, and peanut butter. Stir to combine.
• Prepare Toppings. For my Bok choy, I simply blanched them in lightly-salted boiling water for around 45 seconds. Prepare any additional toppings as desired. Other great toppings are crushed peanuts, thinly chopped scallions (not pictured), etc.
• Assemble the Bowl. Cook the noodles of choice according to package directions. Strain the noodles and reserve the cooking water. For each bowl, first add about 180 grams of noodles. Top the noodles with about 1/4 cup of its cooking water (still warm), followed by 4-5 tablespoons of spicy sauce, a few tablespoons of minced "pork," some Bok choy, crushed roasted peanuts, and any additional toppings. Lightly toss to emulsify. Enjoy immediately.

Steps:

• Heat the sesame oil in a hot frying pan, then add the mushrooms and mince with a pinch of salt. Fry for about 10 minutes, stirring regularly, until you’re left with a crispy mixture (turn down the heat if you find it sticks to the pan too much).
• Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to the packet instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• Mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl with 50ml cold water.
• Grate the garlic into the mince pan with the ginger. Add the chinese five-spice and cook for 1 minute, adding a splash more sesame oil if the mixture looks too dry.
• Pour in a third of the sauce and cook for 2 minutes until the mince is slightly browned. Remove half the mince mixture and set it aside. Reduce the heat to low. Transfer the cooked noodles to the pan and add most of the spring onions. Increase the heat, pour in the remaining sauce and stir well, adding a splash of water to loosen if necessary.
• Divide the noodle mixture among 2-3 bowls. Top with the reserved crispy mince, then finish each portion with a drizzle of chilli oil, sesame seeds and the remaining spring onions.