Tantalize your taste buds with the fiery flavors of Ants on Trees, a classic Sichuan dish that brings together the harmonious symphony of spicy pork, chewy cellophane noodles, and a vibrant sauce. This tantalizing dish, also known as Spicy Pork with Cellophane Noodles, is a culinary masterpiece that showcases the bold and distinctive flavors of Sichuan cuisine. Let's embark on a culinary journey to explore the depths of this delectable dish, unraveling the secrets of its preparation and experiencing the explosion of flavors that await.
In this comprehensive guide, we will present you with not just one, but a collection of Ants on Trees recipes, each offering a unique twist on this beloved dish. From the traditional recipe that stays true to its Sichuan roots to variations that incorporate modern culinary techniques and ingredients, we have something to satisfy every palate. Whether you prefer a classic rendition or crave a contemporary take, our recipes will guide you through the process of creating this iconic dish in the comfort of your own kitchen.
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.
SPICY PORK WITH CELLOPHANE NOODLES (ANTS ON TREES)
Cellophane noodles with spicy sauce speckled with bits of pork- the "ants" in the dish's name. Always popular. Have made a vegetarian version using tofu instead of the pork.
Provided by Sueie
Categories Pork
Time 35m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Marinate the pork: In a small bowl combine the pork with the marinade ingredients.
- In a bowl soak the noodles in warm water for 15 minutes, drain and cut into 3- 4 cm pieces.
- In a wok heat the vegetable oil over moderately high heat and stir fry 1/4 cup of the shallots, garlic and ginger for 30 seconds.
- Add pork and chilli and stir fry the mixture, breaking up the lumps until meat is no longer pink.
- Add noodles, broth, soy sauce, vinegar and sugar and simmer until the noodles have absorbed the liquid.
- Transfer to serving plate, drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle with coriander and remaining shallots.
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:
- To make the cellophane noodles more flavorful, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes before cooking.
- Use a variety of vegetables in the stir-fry to add color, texture, and nutrients.
- Adjust the amount of chili peppers or chili sauce to your desired spice level.
- Serve the dish immediately over rice or noodles.
- Garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro for extra flavor and color.
Conclusion:
Spicy Pork with Cellophane Noodles (Ants on Trees) is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick and flavorful meal. The combination of tender pork, chewy noodles, and spicy sauce is sure to please everyone at the table. Serve this dish over rice or noodles for a complete meal.
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