Dandan inspired laksa
A complete bastardisation of too many dishes to mention, but a happy delicious accident that incorporates the spicy savoury Sichuan street food of dandan noodles with the creaminess of laksa. Dry noodles seem to work better in this soup than fresh, which draw in too much sauce and become soggy.
Ingredients
Laksa
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp crushed ginger
2-3 tbsp laksa paste
3½ tbsp peanut butter
½ tsp ground Sichuan pepper
2½ cups low-salt chicken stock
1 x 400ml can coconut milk
Beef
150g beef mince
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp of sesame oil
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp ground white pepper
2 tbsp of rice wine
To serve
250g dry Asian noodles (ramen-style works well)
a few sprigs of coriander, micro shiso leaves
¼ cup chilli oil, or to taste (intensity of heat varies between brands)
Method
Add the garlic, ginger, laksa paste and peanut butter to a medium nonstick frying pan. Cook over medium heat until fragrant and the laksa paste starts to separate. Add the stock and coconut milk and simmer for 20 minutes.
Evenly mix the beef mince with the soy sauce and sesame oil. Place a frying pan over medium heat and fry the beef until fragrant and thoroughly browned. Add the remaining ingredients except for the rice wine and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Finally, add the rice wine to deglaze the pan; the meat should take on a shine. Set aside.
Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to the boil and cook the noodles according to packet instructions.
To serve, ladle the laksa soup into serving bowls. Add noodles and top generously with beef. Garnish with herbs, drizzle over chilli oil (if using) and serve immediately.
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Katrina Meynink is a cookbook author and Good Food recipe columnist.
