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Ants climbing a tree (ma yi shang shu)
蚂蚁上树 ma yi shang shu: Sichuan glass noodles with minced pork and chilli bean paste
The funny name comes from the specks of minced pork clinging to the glassy noodles like ants on branches, and this is everyday Sichuan home food, cheap and fast, cooked in Chengdu flats with a jar of chilli bean paste and a packet of mung bean vermicelli. The noodles drink up a spicy, savoury pork broth until almost dry. The usual mistake is boiling the noodles first; they only need soaking, then they cook in the sauce, or they turn to mush. Fry the pork mince until it is fully cooked, at least 71 °C. Chef's tip: stop while there is still a spoonful of liquid in the wok; the noodles keep soaking it up on the way to the table.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
- 5 ½ oz mung bean vermicelli (glass noodles)soaked in warm water for 15 minutes and drained
- 5 ½ oz minced pork
- 1 ½ tbsp chilli bean paste (doubanjiang)
- 3 cloves garlicfinely chopped
- ⅜ in fresh gingerfinely chopped
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 cup chicken stock or water
- 2 spring onionsfinely sliced
- ½ tsp dried chilli flakes (optional)
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Cut the soaked 5 ½ oz mung bean vermicelli (glass noodles) into 15 cm lengths with scissors so it's easier to toss.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp neutral oil in a wok over a medium-high heat and fry 5 ½ oz minced pork, breaking it up, for 3 minutes until crumbly, browned and no longer pink.
3 minStep 3: Turn the heat to medium, add 1 ½ tbsp chilli bean paste (doubanjiang) and fry for 1 minute until the oil turns red, then add 3 cloves garlic and ⅜ in fresh ginger for 30 seconds.
2 minStep 4: Pour in 1 cup chicken stock or water, 1 tbsp light soy sauce and 1 tsp dark soy sauce and bring to the boil.
Step 5: Add the noodles and toss over a medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes, until they turn clear, glossy and have absorbed most of the liquid.
4 minStep 6: Toss in 2 spring onions and ½ tsp dried chilli flakes and serve hot with rice.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 520 kcal
- Protein
- 17 g
- Carbs
- 62 g
- Fat
- 22 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ants climbing a tree (ma yi shang shu) take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it very spicy?
- It has some heat. Use less chilli for a milder version, or more if you like it hot.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
- What can I use instead of fresh ginger?
- ¼ tsp ground ginger per tbsp fresh (add it with the spices).
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