Dan Dan Noodles (Joanne Chang)

By patticakes

100 tastes to try - Food and Wine, Jan 2007

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup peanut oil
• 1/2 cup raw peanuts
• 1 small jalepeno, minced
• 1 small clove garlic, halved
• 1/4 inch slice fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
• 2 1/2 TBS soy sauce
• 2 TBS water
• 1 1/2 TBS rice vinegar
• 1 TBS Sriracha
• 1 TBS sugar
• 1 ts Asian sesame oil
• kosher salt
• 12 oz chow mein noodles
• Cucumber matchsticks, sliced scallions, chopped cilantro, sesame seeds and lime halves for garnish.

Preparation

Step 1

In a large skillet, heat the peanut oil. Add the peanuts and fry over moderate heat until golden (~8 min); cool slightly. Transfer to food processor, add garlic, jalepeno, and ginger, process until minced. Add soy sauce, water, rice vinegar and Sriracha, sugar and sesame oil. Season generously with salt.

Add noodles to a pot of boiling salted water. Cook until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water, pat dry. Toss the noodles with the dressing and mound in serving bowls. Top with the garnishes and serve.