Dan Dan Noodles

• Sea salt
• 1 pound flat Asian wheat noodles (such as udon)
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• 1 tablespoon finely grated peeled ginger
• 3 red Fresno chile peppers, seeded and finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces ground beef
• 1 tablespoon tahini (sesame paste)
• 1/2 cup finely diced cornichons or sweet gherkins
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry
• 1 tablespoon Chinkiang black rice vinegar or balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground Sichuan peppercorns
• Freshly ground white pepper
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup chili oil
• 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon ground Sichuan peppercorns
• 3 red Fresno chile peppers, seeded and finely diced
• 2 large scallions, thinly sliced
• 1 small handful fresh cilantro, finely chopped

1. Make the noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add the noodles, stir and cook until al dente, 2 to 4 minutes.
3. Drain, then rinse under cold water and transfer to a bowl.
4. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon sesame oil and toss to coat.
5. Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until smoking and add the peanut oil.
6. Add the ginger, chiles and garlic and stir-fry 30 seconds; add the ground beef and cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
7. Combine the tahini and the remaining 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a small bowl.
8. Add the cornichons to the wok.
9. Stir in the tahini mixture, soy sauce, rice wine, vinegar and ground peppercorns; cook until the beef begins to crisp, 2 to 3 more minutes.
10. Season with white pepper and remove from the heat.
11. Prepare the toppings: Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
12. Combine the chili oil, sesame oil, soy sauce, ground peppercorns and chiles in a small bowl.
13. Divide the noodles among bowls and sprinkle the beef mixture evenly over each.
14. Pour the hot broth over the noodles; top with the chili oil mixture, scallions and cilantro.
15. Photograph by Ralph Smith

salt, asian wheat noodles, sesame oil, peanut oil, ginger, chile peppers, garlic, ground beef, tahini, cornichons, soy sauce, rice wine, rice vinegar, ground sichuan, freshly ground white pepper, chicken broth, chili oil, sesame oil, soy sauce, ground sichuan, chile peppers, scallions, cilantro

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/dan-dan-noodles.html (may not work)