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Ants climbing trees

Australian Gourmet Traveller Chinese noodle recipe for ants climbing trees.
Ants climbing trees

Ants climbing trees

Ben Dearnley
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20M
15M
35M

The small pieces of minced pork mixed with the cellophane noodles in this Sichuan specialty supposedly resemble ants climbing trees. It may not have the most appealing name but this dish is delicious, with an unmistakable Sichuan flavour: spicy and mouth-numbing.

Ingredients

Pork and chilli sauce

Method

Main

1.For pork and chilli sauce, combine pork, Shaoxing, sugar, sesame and Sichuan oils, 40ml soy sauce and ¼ tsp salt in a bowl and refrigerate to marinate (1 hour).
2.Heat peanut oil in a wok over high heat, add celery stalk and garlic, stir-fry until fragrant (20-30 seconds). Add pork mixture and remaining ingredients, stir until pork is cooked through (2-4 minutes). Set aside and keep warm.
3.Cook noodles in a saucepan of boiling water until transparent (1-2 minutes), drain and set aside.
4.Meanwhile, steam tofu in a bamboo steamer placed over a saucepan of simmering water until warmed through (3-5 minutes).
5.Bring pork and chilli sauce to the simmer, add noodles and stir through, then divide among bowls. Cut tofu into rough cubes and place on top, then serve scattered with Chinese celery leaves.

Note Cellophane noodles, also known as glass or bean thread noodles, are available from Asian grocers and the Asian sections of major supermarkets. Sichuan peppercorn oil is available from select Chinese grocers. If unavailable, substitute sesame oil and a few crushed Sichuan peppercorns. Chilli bean paste is available from Asian grocers.

Notes

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