**Ants on a Tree: A Journey Through Culinary Delights**
Embark on a culinary adventure with the enticing dish known as "ants on a tree," a captivating creation that blends sweet and savory flavors, textures, and colors. This unique dish, also known as "ants climbing a tree," features crispy wonton strips that resemble tree branches, adorned with a medley of delectable ingredients. Ground pork and shrimp, minced and stir-fried with aromatic ginger, garlic, and scallions, take center stage, while a sweet and tangy sauce, made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil, brings the dish to life. A garnish of chopped peanuts adds the finishing touch, providing a delightful crunch that complements the soft wonton strips and savory fillings. Accompanying this main recipe are variations that offer a taste of culinary diversity. For those seeking a vegetarian option, the "ants on a tree" recipe presents a tantalizing combination of tofu, mushrooms, and carrots, stir-fried in a flavorful sauce. Additionally, a simplified version of the dish, featuring pre-made wonton wrappers and a quick-to-prepare sauce, caters to those short on time. Embrace the joy of cooking and embark on a culinary journey with "ants on a tree," a dish that promises to delight your taste buds and create lasting memories.
ANTS ON A TREE
Steps:
- Heat a pan with some oil over medium heat. Add the pork and garlic to the pan and cook until the flavor permeates and the pork browns. Then turn the heat to medium-high, add the cabbage and carrots, and stir-fry until the vegetables soften. Next, add the noodles, soy sauce, onions, sugar, ginger and pepper, and continue to stir-fry until all of the ingredients are mixed and the entire dish is coated with soy sauce. You will know when it is done is when the whole dish is steaming hot, light brown and the noodles are transparent with a shiny glaze.
- To assemble, use cooking tongs to hold and twist the stir-fry and transfer on to a platter.
ANTS ON A TREE
Steps:
- Marinate the pork:
- In a small bowl combine the pork gently with the vinegar, the soy sauce, and the sesame oil and let it marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- In a bowl soak the noodles in warm water to cover for 15 minutes, drain them, and cut them into 3- to 4-inch lengths.
- In a wok or large heavy skillet heat the vegetable oil over moderately high heat until it just begins to smoke and in it stir-fry 1/4 cup of the scallion, the garlic, and the gingerroot for 30 seconds. Add the pork and the chili paste and stir-fry the mixture, breaking up the lumps, until the meat is no longer pink. Add the noodles, the broth, the Scotch, the soy sauce, the vinegar, and the sugar and simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the noodles have absorbed the liquid. Transfer the mixture to a platter, drizzle it with the sesame oil, and sprinkle it with the coriander and the remaining 1/4 cup scallion.
ANTS IN TREES
Provided by Alton Brown
Time 50m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
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.
ANTS CLIMBING A TREE
There are no insects in this Sichuan noodle dish; rather, the name Ants Climbing a Tree refers to the way the bits of pork cling to the noodles.
Provided by Diana Kuan
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large bowl, soak the vermicelli in enough warm water to cover for 10 minutes. Drain, shake off excess water, and set aside.
- Rinse the black beans to remove any grit. In a small bowl, mash the black beans with the back of a spoon for about 20 seconds (it does not need to be a smooth paste).
- In a small bowl, stir together the soy. sauce, Sichuan chile oil, and sesame oil. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix 2 Tbsp. of the Chinese rice wine with the ground pork.
- Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until a bead of water sizzles and evaporates on contact. Add the vegetable oil and swirl to coat the bottom. Add the pork and stir-fry, breaking up the pork with a spatula, until crispy and starting to brown but not yet dry, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, then add the scallion whites, garlic, ginger, and fermented black beans and stir-fry for another 30 seconds. Add the remaining 2 Tbsp. rice wine and use the spatula to scrape up any bits that might be stuck to the bottom of the pan.
- Add the stock, the drained noodles, and the Sichuan chili oil mixture. Simmer the noodles, tossing carefully with tongs so they get evenly cooked, until the broth is half absorbed, 3 to 4 minutes. (The vermicelli noodles will still absorb a lot of liquid post-cooking.) Transfer everything to a deep serving bowl, garnish with the scallion greens, and serve.
Tips for Making Ants on a Tree:
- Use high-quality chocolate: The type of chocolate you use will greatly impact the flavor of your ants on a tree. Opt for a semisweet or bittersweet chocolate with a cocoa content of at least 60%. This will ensure a rich and decadent flavor.
- Temper your chocolate: Tempering chocolate is a process of heating and cooling it in a specific way to stabilize the cocoa butter. This makes the chocolate smooth, shiny, and less prone to blooming (the appearance of white streaks on the chocolate's surface).
- Use a variety of toppings: The classic ants on a tree recipe calls for chopped nuts and dried fruit, but you can get creative with your toppings. Try using crushed pretzels, toffee bits, or even bacon bits for a savory twist.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: When you're spreading the chocolate mixture onto the parchment paper, make sure to leave enough space between each mound. This will allow the chocolate to spread and set properly.
- Be patient: It takes time for the chocolate to set completely. Be patient and allow it to cool in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before breaking it into pieces.
Conclusion:
Ants on a tree is a classic and beloved candy that is perfect for snacking, gifting, or enjoying at parties. With its combination of rich chocolate, crunchy nuts, and chewy dried fruit, it's a treat that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a sweet and satisfying snack, give ants on a tree a try. You won't be disappointed!
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