SICHUAN SPICY NOODLES RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat a wok or heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the peppercorns and stir-fry for about 5 minutes until they brown slightly and start to smoke. Remove them from the heat and allow them to cool, then grind them. Set aside.
• Combine the pork, 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of the salt and mix well. Heat a wok or skillet, add the oil and when the oil is hot, deep-fry the pork, stirring it with a spatula to break up the pieces. When the pork is crispy, about four minutes, remove it with a slotted spoon and drain it on paper towels.
• Pour off all but two tablespoons of the oil. Put a pot containing 3 to 4 quarts of water on the stove and bring to a boil.
• Reheat the wok with the remaining oil and stir-fry the garlic, ginger and scallions for 30 seconds, then add the sesame paste, the remaining soy sauce and salt, the chili oil and chicken stock. Simmer for four minutes. Return the pork to the pan and stir.
• Cook the noodles in the boiling water two minutes if they are fresh, five minutes if they are dried (if using spaghetti, cook according to package directions). Drain in a colander. Transfer them to a serving bowl or individual bowls. Ladle on the sauce and top with the fried pork mixture. Sprinkle with the ground Sichuan peppercorns and serve.

Steps:

• In 2-cup glass measuring cup, mix sauce ingredients with wire whisk until well blended; set aside.
• In large stockpot, heat 4 quarts water to boiling over high heat. Remove from heat; add noodles. Let stand 8 to 10 minutes or until noodles are tender; drain.
• Meanwhile, in wok or 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat peanut oil over medium-high heat about 1 minute. Add pork and garlic; cook about 5 minutes, breaking up pork into small pieces with wooden spoon, until pork is no longer pink. Add carrots, bell pepper, green onions and pepper flakes; cook 3 minutes, stirring 3 or 4 times.
• Mix sauce mixture again with wire whisk to recombine; pour into wok. Stir to coat mixture with sauce. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, to blend flavors. Stir in sesame oil.
• In large serving bowl, gently mix noodles with sauce mixture to coat. Sprinkle with cilantro.