Ken Hom's Sichuan dan-dan noodles

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon groundnut or vegetable oil
• 110g courgette, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry
• 2 tablespoons Lee Kum Kee chilli garlic sauce
• 2 teaspoons Lee Kum Kee Chiu Chow Chilli oil
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon Lee Kum Kee Premium dark soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 450ml (16 fl oz) vegetarian stock
• 225g (8oz) whole wheat noodles

Method

This vegetarian version of the popular Sichuan traditional ‘dan-dan noodles’, is meatless and is lighter than the original. Use your imagination with any of your favourite vegetables like courgette or carrots, or even cucumber. It is the sauces that gives this noodle dish its full bite of chillies, garlic and other seasonings without the heaviness. These noodles are usually served after a meal, making a tasty finale. But I think this recipe can be easily a delicious part of any meal or a simple main dish.

1. Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat and add the oil. Add the courgette, garlic, ginger and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the rest of the ingredients. Reduce the heat and simmer for 3 minutes over low heat.

2. Cook the noodles in a large pot of boiling water according to the pack instructions. Drain them well in a colander. Divide the noodles into individual bowls and ladle the sauce over them. Serve at once.

Our thanks to Lee Kum Kee and Ken Hom for providing this recipe

Visit our Asian section for more delicious stir-fries and much more, including spicy braised aubergine, crispy bang bang tofu and stir-fried kale.