3187. DAN DAN NOODLES with BACON

1 tablespoon peanut oil
3 serrano chiles, minced
1/2 teaspoon Sichuan pepper, crushed
4 oz. bacon, minced
1/2 cup kimchi or other pickled vegetable
3 teaspoons soy sauce
12 oz. dried Chinese noodles, cooked as directed on package
1/2 recipe spicy peanut dipping sauce (recipe below)

Spicy peanut dipping sauce
1/4 cup chile flakes
2 tablespoons peanut oil
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 heaping tablespoons unsweetened peanut butter
2 teaspoons Sichuan pepper, finely crushed
6 green onions, finely chopped

Combine the ingredients in a small bowl and mix.

Dan Dan Noodles:

Heat a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the peanut oil, chiles, Sichuan pepper, and bacon. Cook, stirring frequently, until the bacon is crispy. Turn the heat down if the oil smokes. As soon as the bacon is cooked, add the kimchi and soy sauce. Cook for another 1 or 2 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl and toss together with the cooked noodles and the dipping sauce.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Fish: 54 Seafood Feasts by Cree LeFavour; San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2013; pp. 139-140

2728. STIR-FRIED BAGELS with CABBAGE and BACON

serves 4 as part of a multicourse meal


1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil
1 dried red chili pepper, snipped on one end
2 slices ginger, smashed
1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns
5 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch wide pieces (about 4 oz.)
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped garlic
6 cups cubed green cabbage (about 1 lb.)
2 large plain bagels, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 6 cups)
1/2 teaspoon salt

In a small bowl combine the soy sauce and vinegar. Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok over high heat until a bead of water vaporizes within 1 to 2 seconds of contact. Swirl in the oil, add the chili, ginger, and peppercorns, then, using a metal spatula, stir-fry 10 seconds or until the aromatics are fragrant. Add the bacon, reduce the heat to medium, and stir-fry 3 minutes or until the bacon is slightly crispy on the edges. Add the garlic and stir-fry 10 seconds or until the garlic is just fragrant. Add the cabbage, increase the heat to high, and stir-fry 1 minute or until the cabbage leaves just begin to wilt. Swirl the soy sauce mixture into the wok, add the bagels, and stir-fry 1 minute or until well combined. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook 1 minute or until the bagels have softened. Uncover, sprinkle on the salt, and stir-fry until well combined.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Lejen Chen, for Stir-Frying to the Sky's Edge: The Ultimate Guide to Mastery, with Authentic Recipes and Stories, by Grace Young, 2010, p. 255

2130. BAKED ALASKAN POLLOCK with BACON on an ASPARAGUS RAGOUT

serves four


320 grams Alaskan pollock fillets
4 slices Serrano ham
400 grams green and white asparagus
0.2 liters cream
butter
salt and pepper
Sichuan pepper
cornflour

Asparagus ragout: Trim the asparagus, cover the trimmed tough ends with water and boil for about 10 to 15 minutes to make the stock. Decant the liquid into a pan, mix in the cream and reduce to about half the quantity over a low heat. Thicken with cornflour.

Cut the asparagus stalks into bite-size pieces and simmer in the asparagus sauce for about 12 to 15 minutes. The asparagus gives off quite a lot of liquid, so the sauce needs to be thick to start with.

Pollock: Season the pollock with salt and pepper and fry in olive oil and butter for 2 to 3 minutes each side.

Lay the thin slices of ham on the hot fish (they give the dish a rich flavour) and serve on a bed of asparagus ragout.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Marine Stewardship Council, MSC Head Office (Worldwide), 3rd floor, Mountbarrow House, 6-20 Elizabeth Street, London SW1W 9RB UK