Dan Dan Noodles

Yield: 4 servings

One thing I really love about this recipe is that it uses tahini (sesame paste) as a base for a nutty, spicy, flavorful sauce. You control the heat in this dish with the hot sauce. I use Sriracha, but any will do.  And remember – you can freeze fresh ginger. Buy a stick of it, peel it with the edge of a spoon, and freeze whatever you don’t use for next time. Fresh ginger makes a big difference in this dish and other dishes that call for it. Don’t skip it.

Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces dry udon noodles
  • 2 tablespoons grape seed oil
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 2 tablespoons chopped peeled fresh ginger
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 4 teaspoons tahini
  • 1/4 teaspoon (or more) hot sauce
  • 1 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts or cashews
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

Preparation:

  1. Cook udon noodles according to package directions and set aside to drain. (Note: many udon noodle packages recommend a method of adding the noodles to boiling water, then adding cold water to the pot, and repeating this cycle every 2-3 minutes until cooked. Technically, this is how I learned to cook udon noodles in cooking school. Honest answer – just boil them like pasta. It will be fine.)
  2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add pork, some salt and pepper, and cook for 2 minutes, crumbling the pork.
  3. Add the ginger and cook for another 2 minutes, until pork is cooked through.
  4. In a small bowl, mix the chicken stock, vinegar, soy sauce, tahini and Sriracha Sauce. Add this mixture to the skillet and simmer until sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Taste for heat – if you want more – add a little more hot sauce. Add cilantro to pork mixture.
  5. Divide the noodles among 4 bowls. Pour the pork mixture over the noodles and sprinkle with peanuts and green onions.

 

Adapted from Bon Appetit

4 Responses to Dan Dan Noodles

  1. Debbie Minter October 11, 2012 at 12:16 am #

    Made this tonight! It was…and I quote…”awesome”! The whole family enjoyed it and it was so quick and easy. I wanted to make it kind of a one-pot meal so I tossed in some available veggies (mushrooms and corn). I thought some chard or kale might have been good too but didn’t have any (sadly I think it got fed to the guinea piggies). Thanks for this “keeper”! The girls were excited to have another one of Miss Kristen’s recipes.

  2. chezdesblog October 11, 2012 at 10:02 am #

    Hi Deb! So glad you and my favorite little ladies loved it. I like your additions! Thanks for following 😉 K.

  3. Melissa October 11, 2012 at 1:46 pm #

    Kristen… When is your cookbook coming out? And…the book signing in DC. Hope all is well.

  4. chezdesblog October 13, 2012 at 4:52 pm #

    Hi Melissa! Ha. It’s on my list of things to do! Thanks for the encouragement. K.

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