Best Ants On A Tree Recipes

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ANTS CLIMBING A TREE (SICHUAN SPICY VERMICELLI STIR-FRY)



Ants Climbing a Tree (Sichuan Spicy Vermicelli Stir-Fry) image

"Ants on a tree" is one of most well known Sichuan dishes. It is a combination of ground pork and mung bean vermicelli. In addition to that, we use Sichuan peppercorn powder, topped with fresh green onion, it is a very good main course for your dining table.

Provided by Tao,RN

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Asian     Chinese

Time 35m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups mung bean vermicelli
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
½ pound ground pork
2 tablespoons dark soy sauce, or more to taste
2 teaspoons Sichuan peppercorn powder
½ cup water
2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • Place vermicelli in a bowl and cover with water; soak for at least 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat until you can feel the heat above the pan. Put in ground pork; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons soy sauce. Stir in peppercorn powder until evenly distributed. Add water and bring to a boil.
  • Add drained vermicelli and mix evenly with the pork. Cook until all water has evaporated, about 5 more minutes. Taste and add more soy sauce if not salty enough for you.
  • Transfer to a serving plate and top with green onions.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 454.3 calories, Carbohydrate 60.8 g, Cholesterol 36.7 mg, Fat 18.4 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 10.3 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Sodium 488 mg, Sugar 0.2 g

ANTS CLIMBING A TREE



Ants Climbing a Tree image

There are no insects in this Sichuan noodle dish; rather, the name Ants Climbing a Tree refers to the way the bits of pork cling to the noodles.

Provided by Diana Kuan

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

6 oz. bean thread vermicelli noodles
2 Tbsp. fermented black beans
3 Tbsp. soy sauce
3 Tbsp. Sichuan chile oil
1 tsp. sesame oil
4 Tbsp. Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
½ lb. ground pork
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
3 scallions, thinly sliced, white and green parts kept separate
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. minced fresh ginger
2 cups chicken stock, vegetable broth, or water

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, soak the vermicelli in enough warm water to cover for 10 minutes. Drain, shake off excess water, and set aside.
  • Rinse the black beans to remove any grit. In a small bowl, mash the black beans with the back of a spoon for about 20 seconds (it does not need to be a smooth paste).
  • In a small bowl, stir together the soy. sauce, Sichuan chile oil, and sesame oil. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, mix 2 Tbsp. of the Chinese rice wine with the ground pork.
  • Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until a bead of water sizzles and evaporates on contact. Add the vegetable oil and swirl to coat the bottom. Add the pork and stir-fry, breaking up the pork with a spatula, until crispy and starting to brown but not yet dry, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, then add the scallion whites, garlic, ginger, and fermented black beans and stir-fry for another 30 seconds. Add the remaining 2 Tbsp. rice wine and use the spatula to scrape up any bits that might be stuck to the bottom of the pan.
  • Add the stock, the drained noodles, and the Sichuan chili oil mixture. Simmer the noodles, tossing carefully with tongs so they get evenly cooked, until the broth is half absorbed, 3 to 4 minutes. (The vermicelli noodles will still absorb a lot of liquid post-cooking.) Transfer everything to a deep serving bowl, garnish with the scallion greens, and serve.

ANTS ON A TREE



Ants on a Tree image

Categories     Ginger     Pasta     Pork     Marinate     Whiskey     Sesame     Soy Sauce     Gourmet

Yield Serves 4 to 6

Number Of Ingredients 19

For marinating the pork
3/4 pound ground pork
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon Asian (toasted) sesame oil
6 ounces bean-thread (cellophane) noodles*
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced scallion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh gingerroot
2 teaspoons Asian chili paste* or 1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons Scotch
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon Asian (toasted) sesame oil
3 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander, or to taste, if desired
*available at Asian markets.

Steps:

  • Marinate the pork:
  • In a small bowl combine the pork gently with the vinegar, the soy sauce, and the sesame oil and let it marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes.
  • In a bowl soak the noodles in warm water to cover for 15 minutes, drain them, and cut them into 3- to 4-inch lengths.
  • In a wok or large heavy skillet heat the vegetable oil over moderately high heat until it just begins to smoke and in it stir-fry 1/4 cup of the scallion, the garlic, and the gingerroot for 30 seconds. Add the pork and the chili paste and stir-fry the mixture, breaking up the lumps, until the meat is no longer pink. Add the noodles, the broth, the Scotch, the soy sauce, the vinegar, and the sugar and simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the noodles have absorbed the liquid. Transfer the mixture to a platter, drizzle it with the sesame oil, and sprinkle it with the coriander and the remaining 1/4 cup scallion.

ANTS IN TREES



Ants in Trees image

Provided by Alton Brown

Time 50m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 1/2 ounces mung bean noodles
2 ounces soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine
1 tablespoon sambal chili paste
1 teaspoon cornstarch
10 ounces ground pork
1 tablespoon canola oil
4 green onions, chopped, divided
1/2 cup chicken broth

Steps:

  • Soak the noodles in enough hot water to cover by 1 inch for 20 minutes. Use kitchen shears to cut the noodles into 3 to 4-inch pieces and drain thoroughly in a colander for 10 minutes.
  • Combine the soy sauce, rice wine, and chili paste in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth. Add the cornstarch and whisk until combined. Add the pork and mix until thoroughly integrated. Set aside for 30 minutes.
  • Place a 12-inch saute pan over high heat for 1 minute. Add the oil and swirl to coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Once the oil shimmers, add the meat mixture. Stir constantly for 2 minutes, breaking the meat up into very small pieces. Add 2/3 of the green onions and continue cooking and stirring until the meat is well browned and in very small pieces, approximately 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-high and add the broth. Cook until reduced, approximately 3 minutes.
  • Slowly add handfuls of the noodles to the pan, tossing with the meat mixture until combined and the pieces of meat cling to the noodles and no liquid remains. Serve immediately with the remaining green onions.

ANTS ON A TREE



Ants On a Tree image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 1 serving

Number Of Ingredients 11

Vegetable oil
3 ounces ground pork
1 teaspoon minced garlic
6 ounces shredded or thinly cut cabbage
3 ounces shredded or thinly cut carrots
5 ounces rehydrated thin mung bean noodles
1/3 cup premium soy sauce
1 tablespoon minced green onions
1 tablespoon sugar, brown or white
1/2 teaspoon minced skinless ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper

Steps:

  • Heat a pan with some oil over medium heat. Add the pork and garlic to the pan and cook until the flavor permeates and the pork browns. Then turn the heat to medium-high, add the cabbage and carrots, and stir-fry until the vegetables soften. Next, add the noodles, soy sauce, onions, sugar, ginger and pepper, and continue to stir-fry until all of the ingredients are mixed and the entire dish is coated with soy sauce. You will know when it is done is when the whole dish is steaming hot, light brown and the noodles are transparent with a shiny glaze.
  • To assemble, use cooking tongs to hold and twist the stir-fry and transfer on to a platter.

Ants on a tree, also known as "ants climbing a tree" or "ma yi shang shu" in Chinese, is a popular dish in Sichuan cuisine. Despite its peculiar name, the recipe does not actually involve any ants, but rather refers to the visual appearance of the dish. The thin, vermicelli-like noodles resemble wriggling ants climbing up a tree, which in this case, refers to the braised ground pork that is coated around each noodle.

History and origins

Sichuan cuisine has a rich and flavorful history, dating back over 4,000 years. The province, located in southwestern China, is known for its bold flavors, liberal use of spices, and numbing sensation caused by Sichuan peppercorns. Ants on a tree is believed to have originated from Sichuan's mountainous region, where farmers and villagers had limited access to ingredients. The dish is exceptionally affordable and straightforward to prepare, making it a popular meal in households with limited resources. Its popularity eventually spread to other regions of China and even gained popularity in Chinese restaurants worldwide.

Ingredients

The basic ingredients for ants on a tree include glass noodles, ground pork, ginger, garlic, and scallions. Soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and chicken broth are used to flavor and moisten the dish, while Sichuan peppercorns and chili bean paste add a spicy kick. There are various variations of the dish, with some recipes adding vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, and bell peppers. Some recipes also call for the addition of peanuts, sesame oil, and even hoisin sauce.

Preparation

The preparation process for ants on a tree is relatively simple, although it can be time-consuming. The dry glass noodles, also known as cellophane noodles or mung bean vermicelli, are first soaked in water until softened. In a separate pan or wok, the ground pork is browned before the ginger, garlic, and scallions are added to the pan. Once the pork mixture is fragrant, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and chicken broth are added, forming a flavorful sauce. The soaked noodles are then added to the pork mixture and tossed until each noodle is evenly coated with pork, resembling ants on a tree. The dish is then garnished with green onions and cilantro, and served hot.

Flavor Profile

Ants on a tree is a well-rounded dish, with a perfect balance of sweet, salty, spicy, and umami flavors. The ground pork adds a salty and savory base to the dish, while the savory soy sauce and Shaoxing wine deepen the flavors. The chili bean paste and Sichuan peppercorns provide a subtle yet distinctive heat that coats the tongue, while sesame oil gives the dish a nutty flavor. The glass noodles, on the other hand, are neutral in taste, allowing them to absorb the flavors of the sauce and pork entirely. The dish is an explosion of flavors in every bite and is often eaten with rice to soak up the thick sauce.

Final Thoughts

Ants on a tree may have a strange name, but its simplicity and bold flavors have made it a staple dish in Sichuan cuisine. The dish is easy to make, making it a popular meal in households worldwide. The combination of glass noodles, pork, and spices makes it a perfect addition to any meal, especially during the cold winter months. Whether you're a fan of spicy dishes or want to try something new, ants on a tree is a must-try for all food enthusiasts.

Ants on a Tree: A Classic Chinese Dish

Ants on a Tree is a classic Chinese dish that is typically made with glass noodles, ground pork, and chopped vegetables. The dish gets its name from the appearance of the noodles, which look like little "ants" crawling on top of the spicy pork mixture. If you are planning to make Ants on a Tree, there are a few tips and tricks you can follow to make sure your dish comes out perfectly. Here are some valuable pointers:
Tip #1: Soak the Glass Noodles in Hot Water
The glass noodles used in Ants on a Tree are made from mung bean starch and are also known as cellophane noodles or bean thread noodles. To ensure that the noodles cook evenly and do not clump together, it is essential to soak them in hot water before cooking. To do this, simply place the noodles in a large bowl and cover them with hot water. Let them soak for about 10 minutes until they are soft and pliable. Drain the noodles and set them aside.
Tip #2: Cook the Pork Mixture Separately
To create the spicy pork mixture for Ants on a Tree, you will need ground pork, chopped vegetables, and a variety of flavorful spices and sauces. It is best to cook this mixture separately and then add the noodles at the end, to ensure that the dish is evenly coated and the noodles do not become mushy. To do this, heat some oil in a wok or large skillet and add the ground pork. Cook until the pork is browned and no longer pink, then add the chopped vegetables and spices. Cook for a few minutes until the vegetables are tender and the pork is fully cooked.
Tip #3: Use High-Quality Spices and Sauces
Ants on a Tree get their signature spiciness from a combination of chili oil, soy sauce, vinegar, and other flavorful ingredients. To make sure your dish is full of flavor, it is essential to use high-quality spices and sauces. Look for authentic Chinese ingredients at your local Asian market or online. Check the labels and read reviews to ensure that you are getting products that are both delicious and high in quality.
Tip #4: Adjust the Spice Level to Your Preference
Ants on a Tree can be quite spicy, but the heat level can be adjusted to your taste preferences. If you prefer a milder dish, use less chili oil or substitute it with a milder hot sauce. On the other hand, if you like your food extra spicy, add more chili oil or red pepper flakes. Remember to taste the dish as you cook and adjust the spice level accordingly. It's always better to start with less spice and gradually add more, rather than making the dish too hot to handle.
Tip #5: Garnish with Fresh Herbs and Scallions
To give your Ants on a Tree dish a pop of color and freshness, be sure to garnish it with fresh herbs and scallions. Chopped cilantro, Thai basil, or mint can add a burst of flavor and visual appeal to the dish. Chopped scallions also make a great garnish and can add a bit of crunch to the dish. Sprinkle them on top just before serving, along with your chosen herbs.
Tip #6: Serve with Steamed Rice or Vegetables
Ants on a Tree is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Steamed rice is a classic accompaniment and helps to soak up the flavorful sauce. If you are looking for a lighter option, serve the dish with steamed or stir-fried vegetables. Ants on a Tree is a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends. Follow these tips to make sure your dish comes out perfectly and be prepared to impress your guests with your culinary skills!

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