**Dan dan noodles**, a classic Sichuan dish, are a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. These noodles are characterized by their rich, spicy sauce, made with a combination of chili oil, sesame paste, and minced pork, which coats the chewy wheat noodles perfectly. Topped with a variety of ingredients such as crunchy peanuts, crisp soybeans, and fresh cilantro, these noodles offer a delightful contrast of flavors and textures in every bite. This article presents two variations of dan dan noodles: the traditional version made with minced pork and a vegetarian version featuring crumbled tofu, providing options for both meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey as we delve into the world of dan dan noodles, exploring their unique flavors and the recipes that bring them to life.
**Traditional Dan Dan Noodles**: This recipe stays true to the classic Sichuan style, using minced pork as the base of the sauce. The pork is simmered in a flavorful broth until tender, then combined with a mixture of chili oil, sesame paste, soy sauce, and rice vinegar to create a rich and complex sauce. The noodles are tossed in the sauce and topped with peanuts, soybeans, cilantro, and a drizzle of chili oil, resulting in a dish that is both visually appealing and incredibly delicious.
**Vegetarian Dan Dan Noodles**: This variation caters to those who prefer a meatless option. Instead of minced pork, crumbled tofu is used as the protein source. The tofu is pan-fried until crispy, then added to the sauce made with chili oil, sesame paste, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. The noodles are tossed in the sauce and topped with peanuts, soybeans, cilantro, and a drizzle of chili oil, creating a satisfying and flavorful vegetarian dish that doesn't compromise on taste.
In addition to the two main recipes, this article also includes a recipe for homemade chili oil, an essential ingredient in dan dan noodles. Making chili oil at home allows you to control the heat level and customize the flavor to your preference. With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, you'll be able to create your own chili oil that will elevate your dan dan noodles to the next level.
DAN DAN NOODLES
Provided by Alton Brown
Time 31m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Place the peanut butter, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, black vinegar, and chili oil into the bowl of a mini-food processor. Process until the mixture is well combined and forms a paste, 1 to 2 minutes. With the processor running, gradually add the chicken broth and process until the sauce is creamy and well combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a large mixing bowl, cover, and set aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.
- Place 4 quarts water into a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the noodles and cook until al dente, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Drain thoroughly in a colander. Add the noodles to the bowl with the sauce and toss to combine. Serve topped with the peanuts and scallions.
DAN DAN MIAN (DAN DAN NOODLES)
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 50m
Yield 10 to 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- For the crushed chili oil: Scorch the spices in the oil by heating the oil to smoking, then adding the Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon, ginger and scallions. Cook until burned black, then remove with a slotted spoon. Add the crushed red pepper to the oil and stir until aromatic. Let cool to room temperature before storing in an airtight container.
- For the noodles: Cook the noodles in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and reserve the cooking liquid.
- For the meat sauce: Coat a large, hot wok with oil, then add the ground pork. Cook, stirring, until medium-rare; remove from the wok and reserve.
- Swirl some more oil into the wok and add the garlic, chili bean sauce and 1 cup Chinese Chiu Chow Crushed Chili Oil. Cook until aromatic. Add back the pork and stir to combine. Season with Shaoxing wine, chicken base, hoisin and some black vinegar, and continue to cook until the meat is fully cooked and the wok has an aroma.
- Season with Sichuan chili oil, black pepper, soy sauce, sesame oil, and some of the noodle cooking liquid.
- For the peanut sauce: In a medium-hot wok, add the stock, peanut butter and vinegar, and mix until smooth. Taste and add more of each as desired.
- To finish: Dress the noodles with the peanut sauce and divide among 10 to 12 plates. Top with the meat sauce and garnish with the peanuts, sesame seeds and scallions. Serve immediately.
DAN DAN NOODLES (PF CHANG STYLE)
Original recipe comes from Todd Wilbur's book "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes" however I've made some minor changes to fit personal taste. For something different substitute leftover pork roast. Please note that we like spicy food so you may wish to adjust the amount sambal oelek you use.
Provided by Galley Wench
Categories Asian
Time 30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Saute chicken breast in a skillet in a little oil for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Allow to cool; then mince.
- Prepare the noodles following the directions on the package; typically boil for 3 to 5 minutes in 8 to 10 cups boiling water.
- For Sauce:.
- In a wok heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat.
- Add garlic and green onion and saute for just a few seconds; careful that the garlic doesn't burn.
- Add soy sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar and chile-garlic sauce. Combine the cornstarch with ½ cup water and stir it into the sauce. Simmer sauce for about 2 minutes or until it thickens.
- Once thick, add the chicken and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Place cooked noodles onto a serving plate.
- Spoon chicken and sauce over the top of the noodles.
- Garnish with bean sprouts or peanuts before serving.
DAN DAN MEIN (SPICY SZECHUAN NOODLES)
There are two versions of the origin of this name. "Dan Dan" is onomatopoetic for "clap clap" and supposedly refers to the noise made by street vendors in Szechuan as they hawk this tasty snack. Dandan are wooden buckets, one on each end of a pole carried across the shoulders, from which vendors sell Dan Dan Mein in the streets of Chengdu. This recipe is adapted from Mrs Chiang's Szechuan Cookbook. It calls for Szechuan peppercorns, called "huajiao" ("flower pepper") in Chinese, and these are what give Szechuan food its distinctive taste. They can be found in Chinese specialty groceries. Do not substitute with black peppercorns, cayenne pepper or red chili peppers. Furthermore, do not substitute Middle Eastern tahini paste for the rich Chinese toasted sesame paste. The two are not interchangeable, although peanut butter is an acceptable alternative in this recipe. For the hot chili oil, use a commercial brand, mince any good dried red chilies, or make you own as follows.
Provided by Daydream
Categories Japanese
Time 30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Crush the garlic cloves with the side of a cleaver, then peel and chop coarsely.
- Peel the ginger, then dice finely.
- Place the garlic and ginger into a mortar, add salt, then pulverize with a pestle.
- Add the water to the mashed garlic and ginger mixture, stir until well combined, and set aside.
- Chop the green onions very finely, then measure you will need 4 tablespoons in total.
- In each of four small bowls, place 1 tablespoon of the garlic-ginger-water mixture, 1 tablespoon of chopped green onions, 2 teaspoons hot chili oil, 1/8 teaspoon ground roasted Szechuan peppercorns, 4 teaspoons Asian roasted sesame paste, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and ½ teaspoon sugar, and mix well.
- Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil and cook the noodles according to the directions on the package, until al dente (fresh Chinese noodles usually take from 5 to 10 minutes dont overcook).
- Drain, and divide the steaming hot noodles between four plates.
- Each person individually mixes his sauce ingredients together with his noodles.
- For the chili oil: Heat the oil until it is just beginning to smoke.
- Remove from heat, add the hot red pepper flakes, and stir.
- The mixture will foam, and will smell very strong!
- It can be kept for months under refrigeration.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 753, Fat 48.6, SaturatedFat 7.3, Sodium 1444.6, Carbohydrate 72.6, Fiber 5.9, Sugar 2.5, Protein 11.7
HOT AND SPICY SZECHUAN NOODLES (DAN DAN MIAN)
This recipe, from "Authentic Recipes from China", is just sensational! While I wouldn't classify it as hot, just gently warm, we didn't add any extra chili oil just because the flavours as written were so perfect. You know you're onto a winner when DH eats a portion for 3 people!
Provided by currybunny
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 35m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat a wok over low heat and dry-fry the Szechuan peppercorns for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the peanut oil and cook over low heat for 10 minutes to infuse it with the flavour of the peppercorns.
- Cool, then strain the oil into a saucepan, discarding the peppercorns.
- Add the chicken stock, preserved radish, soy sauce, black vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, chili oil and white pepper to the peppercorn oil in the saucepan.
- Keep warm over medium heat.
- Meanwhile, either soak udon noodles for a few minutes in hot water, drain and add to stock mixture, or cook wheat noodles for 2 minutes in boiling water, drain and add to mixture.
- Heat the extra oil in wok over high heat and stir fry the pork til brown and crispy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Divide noodle/broth mixture into four soup bowls, top with the pork and garnish with spring onion.
- Eat, slurp and make appreciative noises at will!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 692.2, Fat 22.9, SaturatedFat 6.4, Cholesterol 44.5, Sodium 3309.2, Carbohydrate 91.6, Fiber 5.5, Sugar 2.6, Protein 27.9
SPICY SZECHUAN NOODLES (DAN DAN MIAN)
Make and share this Spicy Szechuan Noodles (Dan Dan Mian) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by kathiejacgmail.com
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 40m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Combine meat mixture ingredients in small bowl.
- Work together well and let rest while preparing other ingredients.
- Whisk together sauce ingredients except broth until smooth.
- Add broth and whisk well.
- Boil 4 quarts of water.
- Heat 12 inch skillet over high heat until hot, about 2 minutes.
- Add peanut oil and swirl.
- Add meat mixture and cook, breaking up into small pieces until pork is well browned, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes, cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add sauce mixture; whisk to combine and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium low and simmer while noodles are cooking.
- Just before serving stir in sesame oil.
- Drain noodles; divide into individual bowls, top with sauce.
- Sprinkle with scallions and bean sprouts as desired while eating.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 362.7, Fat 27.6, SaturatedFat 7.4, Cholesterol 40.9, Sodium 1345, Carbohydrate 11.3, Fiber 2.6, Sugar 4.5, Protein 18.8
CAFé CHINA'S DAN DAN NOODLES
Also known as dan dan mian, these noodles have regional variations - you're likely to find a peanut-laden, vegetarian version in Taiwan - but this recipe comes from Café China, a beloved Sichuan restaurant in New York City. Popularized in Chengdu, this dish takes its name from the Mandarin verb "dan," which refers to how vendors once carried the ingredients, hanging from bamboo poles balanced on their shoulders. The dish builds on a complex chile sauce that is more rich and robust than fiery. Though the ingredient list is lengthy, the process is clear-cut: Get the water boiling for your noodles while you prepare the sauce. Sauté the pork, seasoned with suimiyacai (preserved mustard greens), boil your noodles, and dinner is served.
Provided by Alexa Weibel
Categories dinner, quick, weeknight, meat, noodles, main course, side dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to boil for the noodles.
- Prepare the chile oil: In a medium skillet, heat the 1/2 cup oil over high. Add the ginger, star anise, red-pepper flakes, ground chile, fennel seeds, cloves and cinnamon to a medium heatproof bowl. Once the oil is shimmering, about 3 to 5 minutes, pour it over the spices. (The mixture will bubble vigorously.) Set aside for 10 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing to extract as much seasoned oil as possible. Makes 1/3 cup chile oil.
- Prepare the pork: In a wok or nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil over high. Add the pork and cook, breaking it up the pork and stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 4 minutes. Add the suimiyacai and stir quickly until just combined. Set aside. (The goal here is simply to integrate the mustard greens; there is no need to cook them.)
- Once chile oil has cooled, whisk in the soy sauce, sesame paste and Maggi seasoning. Set out four individual serving bowls, and add 2 tablespoons of chile sauce to each.
- Once the water boils, add the snow pea shoots to blanch just until wilted, about 1 minute, then use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a bowl. Add noodles to the boiling water and cook until just softened and tender, about 4 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water just to cool slightly.
- Using tongs, divide the noodles and pea shoots among the bowls. (It's OK if the noodles are dripping some water; a little extra moisture is ideal so the noodles remain glossy but not sticky.) Top each with pork mixture, sprinkle with sliced scallions and serve immediately.
- Mix the noodles to coat with chile sauce before eating, and serve with additional sauce at the table.
DAN DAN NOODLES
Making chili oil from scratch is easy and adds a delicious complex flavor to this dish, but you can use regular hot chili oil instead in a pinch.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Pork Recipes Ground Pork Recipes
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook noodles according to package instructions. Add greens 1 minute before the noodles are ready. Drain, rinse under cool water, and drain again. Divide noodles and greens between 2 bowls.
- Mix pork with five-spice powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Heat oil over high in a large skillet. Add pork in 1 layer and fry, breaking up pieces with a wooden spoon, until crisped and beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add ginger, garlic, and scallions and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Stir in wine, soy sauce, and tahini, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of pan. Add chicken stock. Cook until thickened slightly, about 4 minutes. Divide pork mixture evenly between the bowls. Drizzle generously with chili oil and sprinkle with peanuts and scallions. Mix thoroughly before eating.
PF CHANG'S DAN DAN NOODLES
Make and share this Pf Chang's Dan Dan Noodles recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Valerie in Florida
Categories Asian
Time 25m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Combine all sauce ingredients and set aside.
- Heat wok. Add one teaspoons of oil. Sear chili paste, garlic, and minced green onion for 5 seconds to release flavors.
- Add cooked ground chicken and sear, stirring and tossing for 5 to 10 seconds.
- Add sauce mixture and simmer for 20 seconds. Add egg noodles to boiling water and heat for 5 to 10 seconds. Remove noodles from water and place in strainer. Move to serving plate.
- Thicken chicken and sauce with a mixture of corn starch and water (equal parts). Consistency should be a very thick sauce to stand on top of the noodles. Pour over center of noodles.
- Garnish with bean sprouts and julienne cucumbers.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 222.4, Fat 4.7, SaturatedFat 0.9, Cholesterol 50.1, Sodium 1117.8, Carbohydrate 29.9, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 2.6, Protein 13.5
DAN DAN MIAN (SPICY SICHUAN NOODLES)
Steps:
- Combine pork 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce and salt in small bowl and mix well. Heat wok or skillet until hot. Add oil and deep fry pork stirring with spatula to break it into small pieces. When crispy and dry about 4 minutes remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour off oil leaving 2 tablespoons i wok. Reheat wok and add garlic ginger and green onions and stir fry 30 seconds, Then add sesame paste 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce chili oil salt and chicken stock andd simmer 4 minutes. Cook fresh noodles in large pan of boiling water 2 minutes. Drain noodles well in colander then divide among bowls. Ladle on sauce garnish with fried pork and sischuan peppercorns and serve at once
DAN DAN NOODLES
Provided by Peter Chang
Categories Valentine's Day Dinner Peanut Noodle Bon Appétit Dairy Free Tree Nut Free
Yield Makes 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling water until just tender but still firm to the bite. Drain; transfer to a large bowl of ice water and let stand until cold. Drain well and divide between 2 bowls.
- Heat vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add pork, season with salt and pepper, and stir, breaking up pork with a spoon, until halfway cooked, about 2 minutes. Add ginger; cook until pork is cooked through and lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Stir in chicken stock and next 6 ingredients; simmer until sauce thickens, about 7 minutes. Pour pork mixture over noodles; garnish with peanuts and scallions.
Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better your dan dan noodles will taste. This is especially true for the vegetables and herbs.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with the flavors: Dan dan noodles are a versatile dish, so feel free to experiment with different flavor combinations. You can add more or less chili oil, vinegar, or soy sauce to taste.
- Make sure to cook the noodles al dente: Overcooked noodles will be mushy and unpleasant to eat. Cook them according to the package directions, then rinse them in cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Use a good quality sesame paste: The sesame paste is one of the key ingredients in dan dan noodles, so it's important to use a good quality one. Look for a paste that is smooth and creamy, with a rich, nutty flavor.
- Don't skip the garnishes: The garnishes add color, flavor, and texture to the dan dan noodles. Be sure to include them when serving the dish.
Conclusion:
Dan dan noodles are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal. With a little planning and preparation, you can have a bowl of dan dan noodles on the table in no time. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting recipe to try, give dan dan noodles a try. You won't be disappointed!
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