Dan Dan Noodles Recipe

step 1

• STEP 1.-1in the bowl of a kitchen-aid or food processor combine 450 gms high gluten flour, 2 whole eggs, water 80 to 110 mls, 1 tsp salt. Mix together with a spatula.

step 2

• STEP 2.-2then attach the dough hook attachment and run on the lowest speed for 15 to 18 minutes. Check the dough every 5 minutes. If too moist or sticky add a little more flour (30 to 60 gms). Continue the kneading till all the flour is incorporated.

step 3

• STEP 3.-3to check if the dough is ready, grab a piece of dough and squeeze it in a fist and let go. If the dough sticks to the fingers it requires more flour.

step 4

• STEP 4.-4add a little flour and continue to knead. When the flour has been absorbed, check the dough again by squeezing. When the dough falls away easily without sticking to the fingers , take it out and knead by hand to put all the pieces of dough together.

step 5

• STEP 5.-5cover and rest the dough for 30 minutes.

step 6

• STEP 6.-6once the dough has rested divide it into 6 equal portions. Roughly flatten a portion with the palm of the hand by hand.

step 7

• STEP 7.-7using the attachment for the thinnest pasta maker, turn it on the first thickness and pass the dough through the machine.

step 8

• STEP 8.-8fold the edges of the sheet to make a rectangle sheet.

step 9

• STEP 9.-9pass the sheet of dough again.

step 10

• STEP 10.-10turn the thickness to level 2. Pass the dough through the machine again.

step 11

• STEP 11.-11continue till level 4. Dust the noodle sheet with flour if they get too sticky.

step 12

• STEP 12.-12when all the sheets are rolled out. Sprinkle and apply cornstarch well on both sides of the sheets.

step 13

• STEP 13.-13change the attachment to make noodles/ spaghetti. Add cornflour in the container below. Pass the noodle sheet through the attachment and collect the bunch of noodles as they come out . Lightly move them around in the cornstarch to prevent stickiness. Shake off the excess starch.

step 14

• STEP 14.-14to make stir fried ground pork, heat the wok and add 1 ½ tsp oil, add 2 minced cloves garlic. When it begins to sizzle turn the heat to high and add 400 ground pork that has 50% fat content.

step 15

• STEP 15.-15spread out the mince to cover the surface of the hot wok. Let it fry for a few minutes and then mix and toss it well. Break up the lumps with the spatula.

step 16

• STEP 16.-16fry till the pork turns golden brown. The fat will render into the wok.

step 17

• STEP 17.-17at this point add 2 ½ tbsp chinese cooking wine, 1 ½ tbsp soy sauce, ½ tbsp sweet bean paste, black pepper powder to taste. Stir until all the flavours are well combined.

step 18

• STEP 18.-18turn off the heat. Taste to adjust the seasoning.

step 19

• STEP 19.-19tilt the wok away from the pork and spoon it out into a bowl. The excess oil will drain to the other side of the wok. This pork mince will be a little saltier than usual because it is a topping.

step 20

• STEP 20.-20to make the sesame paste, in a small mixing bowl add 1 tbsp pure sesame butter, 1 tbsp pure peanut butter, 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil. Mix well together to make a smooth mixture.

step 21

• STEP 21.-21to assemble the dan dan noodles, in a serving bowl add few tbsp sesame paste, 2 to4 tbsp sichuan chilli oil, ¼ tsp sugar, ½ tsp sichuan peppercorn powder to taste, 2 tbsp soy sauce ,1 tbsp chinese black vinegar, 1 clove minced garlic.

step 22

• STEP 22.-22fill a pot of water and bring to a boil. Add the noodles to the boiling water. Add 4 to 5 tbsp of this boiling water to the bowl.

step 23

• STEP 23.-23when noodles are almost cooked add 2 to 3 leaves of baby bok choy or any green leafy vegetables.

step 24

• STEP 24.-24take out the noodles, strain them and add them to the bowl.

step 25

• STEP 25.-25strain the baby bok choy and add it to the bowl.

step 26

• STEP 26.-26top with 3 to 4 tbsp of the stir fried ground pork, 1 to 2 tbsp of ‘sui mi ya cai’ (fermented vegetables) or kimchi.

step 27

• STEP 27.-27sprinkle toasted and crushed peanuts.

step 28

• STEP 28.-28top with chopped green onions.serve and eat hot!