SPICY SICHUAN 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:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add chicken and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and discard water.
• Bring a large pot of fresh water to a boil; add chicken, ginger, and peppercorns. Add more water if needed to cover chicken completely. Cover and cook over high heat until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear, 35 to 45 minutes. Drain and discard water.
• Horizontally chop chicken into 3/4-inch pieces, cutting through the bone and skin. Vertically chop into 3/4-inch squares; transfer to a bowl.
• Combine soy sauce, chile oil, sugar, MSG, and Sichuan peppercorn oil in a bowl to form a sauce; pour over chicken and toss well. Garnish with spring onions and sesame seeds.