Dan Dan Noodles with Sichuan Pork Mince & Pink Lady® Apple
- Prep Time: 20-30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
Bold and spicy, this delicious noodle dish with savoury pork mince, silky Dan Dan sauce and crisp Pink Lady® apple is everything and more.
Ingredients
Sichuan Pork Mince
1 Tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
500 g pork mince
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp (10 ml) fresh ginger, grated
4 spring onions, finely sliced, white and green parts separated
4 Tbsp (60 ml) dark soy sauce
1 Tbsp (15 ml) hoisin sauce
3 tsp (15 ml) chilli crisp
1 tsp (5 ml) Sichuan peppercorns, lightly toasted and finely ground
2 tsp (10 ml) Chinese five-spice
½ tsp (2.5 ml) brown sugar
½ tsp (2.5 ml) sesame oil
Noodles
400 g fresh or dried wheat noodles
Dan Dan Sauce
4 Tbsp (60 ml) smooth peanut butter or tahini
4 Tbsp (60 ml) soy sauce
2 Tbsp (30 ml) chilli oil, plus extra for serving
1 Tbsp (15 ml) black rice vinegar
1 tsp (5 ml) brown sugar
2 tsp (10 ml) sesame oil
2–4 Tbsp (30–60 ml) reserved hot noodle cooking water
Pink Lady® Apple Topping
1 large Pink Lady® apple, cut into thin matchsticks or diced finely
2 tsp (10 ml) lemon juice
Green parts of the spring onions, sliced on the diagonal
A small handful of coriander, finely chopped
1 red chilli, sliced
To Serve
Sesame seeds, toasted (optional)
50 g roasted and salted peanuts
Fresh coriander
Instructions
Sichuan Pork Mince
Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or frying pan over a medium-high heat.
Add the pork mince and cook for 12–15 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until well browned and beginning to crisp. If necessary, add a splash more oil during cooking.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the garlic, ginger and the white parts of the spring onions and cook for 2 minutes, or until fragrant.
Stir in the dark soy sauce, hoisin sauce, chilli crisp, ground Sichuan peppercorns, Chinese five-spice, brown sugar and sesame oil. Cook for a further 4–5 minutes until the pork is glossy and evenly coated.
Noodles
Cook the noodles according to the packet instructions.
Before draining, reserve ½ C (125 ml) of the cooking water.
Drain the noodles and set aside.
Dan Dan Sauce
Whisk together the peanut butter or tahini, soy sauce, chilli oil, black rice vinegar, brown sugar and sesame oil until smooth.
Gradually whisk in 2–4 Tbsp (30–60 ml) of the reserved hot noodle cooking water until the sauce is smooth, creamy and pourable.
Pink Lady® Apple Topping
Toss the Pink Lady® apple with the lemon juice to prevent browning.
Combine with the green parts of the spring onions, the coriander and chilli.
To Assemble
Pour the Dan Dan sauce over the cooked pork and stir until well combined.
Add the cooked noodles and toss until evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more reserved noodle cooking water until it reaches a silky consistency.
Divide the noodles between serving bowls.
Top generously with the Pink Lady® apple topping.
To Serve
Finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and peanuts. Garnish with fresh coriander.
