Sichuan pepper – yummy food share

Hearty Braised Fish in a Savory Ale Broth

2025-10-24

Get ready to discover your new favorite comfort food! This dish is a beautiful example of how a few simple techniques can transform humble ingredients into something truly spectacular. We’re talking about a whole fish, pan-fried to golden perfection and then slow-braised in a deeply savory and aromatic broth. While it simmers away for a little while, filling your kitchen with the most incredible smells, the actual hands-on time is minimal, making it a perfect project for a lazy weekend afternoon. The result is fall-off-the-bone tender fish swimming in a rich, umami-packed sauce that’s just begging to be soaked up with a warm flatbread. Don’t be intimidated by the list of ingredients; the process is straightforward, and the flavor payoff is absolutely massive. First things first, let’s gather our ingredients. The magic of this dish comes from layering flavors, so try to get everything prepped before you begin. For the star of the show, a firm white fish works best. The original recipe uses tilapia, but sea bass, cod, or even carp would be fantastic. If you’re feeling adventurous, using a large fish head is the traditional way to go! The pork belly adds a wonderful richness, but you can substitute it with a few slices of thick-cut, unsmoked bacon in a pinch. The most unique ingredient here is the Pixian Doubanjiang, a fermented broad bean paste that provides a deep, savory, and slightly spicy foundation. You can find it at most Asian grocery stores. If you can’t, a Korean gochujang or another chili bean paste can work, though the flavor will be slightly different. For the Fish: 1 whole tilapia (about 1.5-2 lbs), cleaned and scaled 3-4 tablespoons vegetable oil, for frying For the Braising Broth: 4 oz pork belly, thinly sliced A handful of aromatics: 2-3 star anise…

Savory Spiced Beef Brisket

2025-10-24

Get ready to fill your kitchen with the most incredible, soul-warming aroma. This recipe transforms a humble cut of beef brisket into a dish of profound flavor and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. While the ingredient list might look long, the process is wonderfully straightforward, relying on the magic of a slow braise—or a pressure cooker for a fantastic shortcut. The method involves simmering the beef in a broth infused with a symphony of warm spices like star anise, cassia, and Sichuan peppercorns, creating a savory, deeply comforting flavor profile often associated with classic homestyle cooking. It’s an impressive dish that requires mostly hands-off simmering time, making it a perfect weekend project that delivers a truly restaurant-quality meal with minimal fuss. Here’s what you’ll need to get started. Don’t be intimidated by some of the more specific spices; I’ve included plenty of easy-to-find substitutions so you can make this delicious dish with ingredients from your local supermarket. For the Beef: 2 lbs (about 900g) beef brisket or chuck roast, cut into 1.5-inch cubes 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry) 2 tablespoons vegetable oil Boiling water, as needed Salt, to taste For the Aromatic Braising Liquid: 3 slices of ginger 2 star anise pods 1 small stick of cassia bark (or a 3-inch cinnamon stick) 15 Sichuan peppercorns 1 black cardamom pod (cao guo) 2 slices of angelica root (bai zhi) A few strands of dried tangerine or orange peel (optional) 3-4 tablespoons dark soy sauce (or red-braising soy sauce) A Note on Ingredients: Many of these spices can be found at an Asian grocery store. However, if you have trouble finding them, here are some tips. Dark soy sauce is thicker and less salty than regular soy sauce, used primarily for its rich, dark color and subtle sweetness. If you can’t find…

Slow Braised Pork Belly with Tiger Skin Eggs

2025-10-18

Welcome to one of my all-time favorite comfort food recipes! If you’re looking for a dish that is deeply savory, incredibly aromatic, and guaranteed to impress, you’ve come to the right place. This slow-braised pork belly is a masterpiece of flavor and texture. While it requires a couple of hours of simmering to reach perfection, the active preparation time is minimal, and the process is surprisingly straightforward, even for novice cooks. We’ll use a classic technique of caramelizing sugar to create a beautiful, deep mahogany color and a subtle sweetness that perfectly balances the rich pork. The end result is fork-tender pork that literally melts in your mouth, springy quail eggs that have soaked up all the delicious sauce, and slightly smoky peppers, all coated in a glossy, irresistible glaze. It’s the perfect project for a lazy weekend afternoon, filling your kitchen with the most incredible aromas. To get started, let’s gather our ingredients. The list might seem long, but many of these are pantry staples or can be easily found. Don’t worry, I’ll provide plenty of substitution tips! For the Main Ingredients: Pork Belly: About 2 lbs (900g), preferably skin-on, cut into 1.5-inch thick slices. Quail Eggs: 12-15, hard-boiled and peeled. If you can’t find quail eggs, you can use 4-5 regular chicken eggs, hard-boiled, peeled, and halved. Long Green Peppers: 3-4. Jalapeños or Anaheim peppers are an excellent substitute if you can’t find long green peppers. For the Braising Liquid & Aromatics: Rock Sugar: 3 tablespoons. Rock sugar gives a cleaner, more complex sweetness and a better glaze. You can substitute with granulated white sugar. Light Soy Sauce: 4 tablespoons. This is your primary source of saltiness and umami. It’s thinner and lighter in color than dark soy sauce. Dark Soy Sauce: 1 tablespoon. This is mainly for…

Aromatic Sweet and Savory Fish Bites

2025-10-13

If you’re searching for a spectacular dish that hits all the right notes—crispy, sweet, savory, and aromatic—all while being surprisingly straightforward to make, you’ve just found your new favorite recipe. This dish, ready in about 45 minutes, transforms simple fish fillets into an irresistible treat that will have everyone asking for more. The magic lies in a classic combination of whole spices that create a deeply fragrant sauce, which beautifully coats the crispy, fried fish. Despite its complex flavor profile, the process is perfect for home cooks of any skill level. It’s a fantastic appetizer for a party or a stunning main course served with a side of steamed rice. Prepare to fill your kitchen with the most incredible aromas! Let’s gather our ingredients. The key is to use a firm, white-fleshed fish that holds its shape well during frying. Don’t worry if you can’t find the exact types mentioned; there are plenty of excellent alternatives. For the Fish: 1.5 lbs (about 700g) firm white fish fillets, such as cod, halibut, tilapia, or catfish, cut into 1-inch thick strips or chunks. 1-inch piece of ginger, thinly sliced 2 scallions, cut into 2-inch lengths 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp MSG (optional, for an umami boost) 1 tbsp light soy sauce Vegetable or canola oil, for frying For the Aromatic Sauce: 2 star anise pods 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns 1 small cassia bark stick (or a 2-inch cinnamon stick) 1 piece dried tangerine or orange peel 2 bay leaves 1 gardenia pod, lightly crushed (This is mainly for a beautiful golden hue and is optional. If you can’t find it at an Asian market, you can skip it or add a tiny pinch of turmeric for color). 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced 2 scallions, cut into 2-inch lengths 3 tbsp granulated sugar…

Spicy Tangy Fish with Pickled Greens

2025-10-11

Have you ever craved a dish that’s a whirlwind of flavors—tangy, spicy, and deeply savory all at once? If so, allow me to introduce you to your new favorite meal. This incredible poached fish dish, with its signature golden broth and tender, silky fish fillets, is a true masterpiece of flavors and textures. It might look and sound like something you could only order at a high-end restaurant, but I’m here to tell you a secret: you can absolutely make this showstopper at home. In just about an hour, you can transform a handful of ingredients into a complex, satisfying, and utterly addictive meal. The preparation is straightforward, focusing on building layers of flavor that come together in a spectacular finish. Get ready to impress your friends, your family, and most importantly, yourself! Before you start, let’s gather our ingredients. The key to this dish is balancing the sour, spicy, and savory notes, so getting the right components is important. But don’t worry, many of these have easy-to-find substitutes. For the Fish and Marinade: 1.5 lbs (about 700g) firm white fish fillets, such as cod, halibut, or tilapia (catfish also works beautifully) 1 egg white 1 tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine (or dry sherry) 1 tbsp cornstarch 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp white pepper 1 tbsp neutral oil (like canola or vegetable oil) For the Broth and Assembly: 1 cup Sichuan pickled mustard greens (Suan Cai). This is the star ingredient, found in vacuum packs at most Asian markets. Its unique tangy flavor is hard to replicate, but in a pinch, you could try well-rinsed sauerkraut, though the taste will be different. The head and bones from your fish (optional, but adds incredible depth to the broth) 3 cloves garlic, minced, divided 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced 2-3 pickled red chilies,…

Salt Baked Style Shredded Chicken

2025-10-10

In many parts of Asia, there’s a wonderful saying that a feast is not truly a feast without a chicken dish at the center of the table. Whether it’s a holiday or a simple family get-together, a beautifully prepared chicken signifies celebration and abundance. This recipe brings that festive spirit right into your kitchen with a dish that is both elegant and incredibly rewarding to make. We’re going to create a sensational shredded chicken dish, infused with an aromatic broth and tossed with crisp vegetables and a savory dressing. While it carries the deep, complex flavors you’d expect from a restaurant, you’ll be amazed at how achievable it is at home. Taking about an hour from start to finish, this recipe transforms simple chicken thighs into a show-stopping meal that is salty, savory, and utterly addictive. To get started, let’s gather our ingredients. Don’t be intimidated by some of the names; many can be found in a well-stocked supermarket or an Asian grocery store, and I’ll provide easy-to-find alternatives for anything that might be tricky to locate. For Poaching the Chicken: Chicken Thighs: 2 large, bone-in, skin-on Ginger: 5 slices Shallots: 5 small (or 1 small red onion, quartered) Scallion: 1, whole Sichuan Peppercorns: 1 teaspoon (If unavailable, you can use black peppercorns for a different kind of spice) Dried Tangerine Peel: 2 pieces (You can substitute with a few wide strips of fresh orange peel) Fennel Seeds: 1 teaspoon Bay Leaves: 2 Fine Sea Salt: 2 teaspoons For the Salad and Dressing: Cucumber: 1, julienned Carrot: 1 small, julienned (about 1 handful) Onion: ½ small, thinly sliced (about 1 handful) Scallion: 1, finely sliced Salt Baked Chicken Powder: ½ tablespoon. This is a key flavoring agent. You can find it online or in Asian markets. For a DIY substitute,…

Unforgettable Savory Pork Buns

2025-10-09

Have you ever bitten into a steamed bun so perfectly soft and fluffy, with a filling so juicy and savory it stops you in your tracks? That’s the magic we’re creating today. This recipe unlocks the secret to incredible homemade pork buns, a beloved comfort food that feels special yet is surprisingly simple to master. Forget complicated techniques; this filling comes together in under an hour and relies on a brilliant two-part method that guarantees a moist, flavorful center every time. The taste is a deep, satisfying savoriness, known as “jiang xiang,” that comes from rich, fermented bean pastes. This is the kind of recipe that will make your kitchen smell amazing and have everyone asking for seconds. Get ready to impress yourself and anyone lucky enough to share these with you! Let’s gather our ingredients. The key to the irresistible flavor lies in a few special pantry items, but don’t worry if you can’t find them all—I’ve included some easy and accessible substitutions that work beautifully. This recipe makes enough filling for approximately 16-20 buns, depending on their size. For the Filling: Ground Pork: 1 lb (or about 500g). A mix with around 20% fat is ideal for a juicy result. Scallions: 1 large bunch (about 4-5 stalks), finely chopped. Ginger: 1-inch piece, peeled and finely minced. For the Aromatic Water: Water: ½ cup Star Anise: 2 whole pods Sichuan Peppercorns: 1 teaspoon (optional) Bay Leaf: 1 leaf For the Savory Sauce: Sweet Bean Paste: 2 tablespoons. Soybean Paste: 1 tablespoon. Thirteen-Spice Powder: 1 teaspoon. Substitutions & Notes: Sweet Bean Paste & Soybean Paste: Can’t find these? No problem! Hoisin sauce is an excellent substitute. Use 3 tablespoons of Hoisin sauce in place of both pastes for a similar sweet and savory depth. Thirteen-Spice Powder: This is a fragrant…

Fiery Sichuan Cabbage with Golden Tofu

2025-10-08

If you’re searching for a weeknight meal that explodes with flavor but comes together in under 15 minutes, you have officially found your new favorite recipe. This stir-fry is a masterclass in simplicity and taste, transforming humble cabbage and tofu into a dish that is deeply satisfying and wonderfully aromatic. The magic lies in its “Ma La” flavor profile, a signature of Sichuan cooking that combines the fiery heat of dried chilies with the unique, tingly numbness of Sichuan peppercorns. It’s a simple stir-fry, making it incredibly easy for cooks of all levels, yet the taste is complex and exciting. This dish is proof that you don’t need a long list of ingredients or complicated techniques to create something truly spectacular. Here’s everything you’ll need to get started. I’ve suggested some quantities, but feel free to adjust them to your personal taste, especially the spicy elements. One of the best things about home cooking is making it your own! For the Dish: Tofu: 1 block (about 14 oz or 400g) firm or extra-firm tofu, pressed and patted dry Cabbage: ½ a medium head of green cabbage (about 4-5 cups), torn or roughly chopped Dried Red Chilies: 5-10, depending on your spice preference Sichuan Peppercorns: 1 teaspoon Fresh Ginger: 3-4 thin slices Scallions: 2 stalks, cut into 1-inch sections High-Heat Cooking Oil: 2-3 tablespoons (such as canola, grapeseed, or avocado oil) Salt: ½ teaspoon, or to taste MSG (Monosodium Glutamate): ¼ teaspoon (optional) Ingredient Notes & Substitutions: Tofu: Using firm or extra-firm is key. It holds its shape beautifully when fried. Avoid silken or soft tofu for this recipe. Sichuan Peppercorns: These are the star ingredient and provide a unique, citrusy aroma and a pleasant tingling sensation on the tongue. You can find them at most Asian grocery stores or online….

Savory One Pot Harvest Stew with Fluffy Flower Rolls

2025-08-25

Welcome to one of the most comforting and impressive one-pot meals you will ever make! This dish is a complete meal, featuring a hearty, savory stew of seasonal vegetables and tender pork, all simmering away while fluffy, gorgeous flower rolls steam to perfection right on top. While it looks complex, it’s a surprisingly straightforward process that takes about an hour from start to finish. The magic lies in the method: the stew’s aromatic steam cooks the buns, infusing them with incredible flavor. It’s the perfect weekend cooking project that results in a rustic, soul-warming feast. The harmony of tender pumpkin, potatoes, and rich pork, paired with bread that’s soaked up all that goodness, is an experience you won’t soon forget. Let’s get your ingredients together. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility, so feel free to use your favorite seasonal vegetables! Here’s what you’ll need: For the Stew: Pork: 1 large bowl of pre-stewed or braised pork (about 2 cups). Using leftover braised pork belly or shoulder is ideal as it’s already tender and flavorful. If you don’t have any, you can quickly pan-fry 1 pound of pork belly or shoulder chunks with a splash of soy sauce until browned. Pumpkin: Half of a small pumpkin or a small butternut squash, peeled and cubed. Potato: 1 large potato, peeled and cubed. Sweet Corn: 1 fresh corn on the cob, kernels sliced off. Green Beans: A generous handful of fresh green beans. Aromatics: 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 small knob of ginger, minced (optional); 2-3 scallions, chopped; 2 small red chilies (like Thai or Bird’s Eye), finely chopped (optional, for a little heat). Spices: 5-6 Sichuan peppercorns (optional, but highly recommended for their unique, tingling flavor). Liquids & Seasoning: 2 tablespoons light soy sauce (or regular soy sauce/tamari); 1 teaspoon…