Best 3 Ants Climbing A Tree Ma Yi Shang Shu Recipes

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Tantalize your taste buds with Ma Yi Shang Shu, a classic Sichuan dish that translates to "ants climbing a tree". This savory and aromatic dish features tender ground pork or beef clinging to translucent cellophane noodles, resembling ants scaling a tree. The key to this dish is the special sauce made with a combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili oil, which coats the noodles and meat, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. This article provides three variations of the dish: the classic Ma Yi Shang Shu with ground pork, a vegetarian version with tofu and shiitake mushrooms, and a spicy version with chili peppers. Each recipe includes step-by-step instructions and a list of ingredients, ensuring a successful and enjoyable cooking experience. Whether you prefer the traditional meat-based version or the innovative plant-based alternative, this versatile dish is sure to satisfy your cravings.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

ANTS IN TREES



Ants in Trees image

Provided by Alton Brown

Time 50m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 1/2 ounces mung bean noodles
2 ounces soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine
1 tablespoon sambal chili paste
1 teaspoon cornstarch
10 ounces ground pork
1 tablespoon canola oil
4 green onions, chopped, divided
1/2 cup chicken broth

Steps:

  • Soak the noodles in enough hot water to cover by 1 inch for 20 minutes. Use kitchen shears to cut the noodles into 3 to 4-inch pieces and drain thoroughly in a colander for 10 minutes.
  • Combine the soy sauce, rice wine, and chili paste in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth. Add the cornstarch and whisk until combined. Add the pork and mix until thoroughly integrated. Set aside for 30 minutes.
  • Place a 12-inch saute pan over high heat for 1 minute. Add the oil and swirl to coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Once the oil shimmers, add the meat mixture. Stir constantly for 2 minutes, breaking the meat up into very small pieces. Add 2/3 of the green onions and continue cooking and stirring until the meat is well browned and in very small pieces, approximately 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-high and add the broth. Cook until reduced, approximately 3 minutes.
  • Slowly add handfuls of the noodles to the pan, tossing with the meat mixture until combined and the pieces of meat cling to the noodles and no liquid remains. Serve immediately with the remaining green onions.

MAYI SHANG SHU (ANTS CLIMB A TREE)



Mayi Shang Shu (Ants Climb a Tree) image

An authenic Szechwan recipe. Clearly not Chinese haute cuisine, this recipe is reminiscent of earthier peasant food. Will serve four as a main dish or many more on a buffet as a side dish. One of the best things about this dish is the ease to eat with chopsticks. A real learners food! There is a lot of set up and preparation work, but the dish itself cooks up very quickly. You will save a lot of time if you use pre-minced garlic and ginger.

Provided by Spankie

Categories     Asian

Time 45m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

4 (2 ounce) packages dried cellophane noodles
4 cups boiling water
1 lb ground pork
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil (dark, the kind used for flavoring and not for frying or salads)
6 scallions
6 garlic cloves
1/2 inch piece fresh gingerroot
5 tablespoons peanut oil
2 tablespoons hot pepper paste
1/4 cup soy sauce
2/3 cup water
salt, to taste
fresh ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Preparation:.
  • Put the cellophane noodles in a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Stir and set aside to soak for at least 20 minutes.
  • Put the ground pork in a bowl and add the 2 tablespoons soy sauce and sesame oil.
  • Clean the scallions, then slice them, both the green and white, diagonally as fine as you can. Add half of the scallions to the ground pork mixture and mix well. Set aside the remainder of the scallions.
  • Peel the garlic cloves and chop them into tiny pieces, about the size of a match head.
  • Peel the ginger, then mince it very fine, until it reaches the consistency of coarse bread crumbs.
  • When the cellophane noodles have become nice and soft, rinse them several times under cold water; drain well and set aside.
  • Time to Cook!
  • Heat your wok or pan over a high flame for 15 seconds, then pour in the oil. It will be hot enough to cook with when the first tiny bubbles forms and a few small wisps of smoke appear.
  • When the oil is ready, toss in the chopped ginger and garlic, and the hot pepper paste. Stir-fry these ingredients together for 30 seconds, using your cooking shovel to keep things moving around in the hot oil.
  • Add the meat and continue to stir-fry for about 1 minute, taking particular care to break up any large chunks of meat. Note: pork will not be completed cooked at this point.
  • Pour in the soy sauce and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
  • Add the cellophane noodles and cook for about 1 minutes, turning them over occasionally and making several cuts with the cooking shovel or wooden spoon.
  • Add the water and the rest of the scallions. Taste for salt and season as needed to give a rich, clear taste to the noodles. Cover pan and let simmer over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper just before serving.

ANTS CLIMBING A TREE ( MA-YI SHANG SHU )



Ants Climbing a Tree ( Ma-Yi Shang Shu ) image

A very popular and very spicy Szechwan noodle dish. Easy and fun to make! I like to add a little garlic to this when I make it. About a tablespoon or so. If you prefer less spicy food, omit the green and red chili peppers. The dish is delicious even without them. The Spicy Bean Sauce (AKA Ma Po Sauce) isn't actually very "hot" at all, but definitely do not omit this ingredient! You will probably need to go to an asian market for this one. The only type I'm able to find is by Lee Kum Kee. UPC 0-78895-61000-0. Chinese chili sauce (Siracha) also works in a pinch. Serve with some rice and enjoy!

Provided by BThomson

Categories     Pork

Time 35m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/4 lb bean threads
1/4 lb ground pork
3 tablespoons green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely chopped
1 -2 tablespoon szechuan hot bean sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine (or dry sherry)
1 tablespoon soy sauce (light or dark)
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup chicken stock
3 -5 tablespoons peanut oil
2 -3 fresh red chili peppers (optional)
2 -3 dried mushrooms (optional)
1 serrano pepper (optional)
1 dash sesame oil, to taste

Steps:

  • Soften the noodles briefly in warm water. When they are soft, mostly clear and pliable, drain and cut both ends to shorten them to manageable lengths.Be careful not to over soak. Set aside.
  • To prepare the red peppers: Top and seed the red peppers and chop finely. If using dried red peppers, soak in warm water until softened, then seed and chop. Set aside.
  • To prepare the green pepper: Top, seed and cut into shreds. Fry shortly in 1 Tbsp cooking oil on high heat with a pinch of salt. Set aside.
  • To prepare mushrooms: Soak dried mushrooms in warm water until softened. Cut away the tough stems and cut the mushrooms into 1/2 inch pieces. Set aside.
  • Chop the ginger and green onions. Put them both on a small plate with the hot bean sauce and red peppers. Set aside.
  • In a bowl, mix the rice wine, soy sauce, salt, mushrooms and chicken stock. Set aside.
  • Heat the oil in a wok or large pan until hot. Add the pork and toss until grey, breaking up the pork into very tiny bits as you do.
  • Add the ginger, onions, peppers and bean sauce and stir it well.
  • When the pork and ginger have absorbed the red color from the bean sauce and become strongly aromatic, add the bowl containing the wine, soy sauce, salt and stock.
  • Reduce heat and stir once.
  • Add noodles.
  • Simmer, stirring occasionally until the liquid is absorbed.
  • Stir in green peppers with sesame oil.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
  • Don't overcook the noodles, or they will become mushy.
  • Use a variety of vegetables to add color and flavor to the dish.
  • Adjust the amount of chili oil and vinegar to your taste.
  • Garnish the dish with chopped peanuts, scallions, and cilantro for extra flavor and texture.

Conclusion:

Ants Climbing a Tree is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a fun and festive dish to serve at a party, Ants Climbing a Tree is sure to please everyone at the table.

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