🐜🌳 Ants on a Tree Stump is a delightful Chinese dish that combines ground pork (or another protein) with glass noodles, often referred to as cellophane noodles, in a savory and slightly sweet sauce. The name of the dish comes from the visual resemblance of the ground pork clinging to the noodles to ants on a tree stump. It’s a popular dish in Chinese cuisine known for its unique texture and flavors.
📜 History:
The exact origin of Ants on a Tree Stump is not well-documented, but it is believed to have originated in the Sichuan province of China, known for its spicy and flavorful dishes. This dish has become a favorite in both Chinese homes and international Chinese restaurants, thanks to its delicious combination of ingredients and the famous Sichuan peppercorn spice.
🍲 Components:
The key components of Ants on a Tree Stump include:
- Ground Pork: Typically, ground pork is used as the main protein, but you can also use ground chicken or tofu for a vegetarian version.
- Glass Noodles: These are thin, transparent noodles made from starch (often mung bean starch) and are an essential element of the dish.
- Seasonings: Garlic, ginger, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and Sichuan peppercorns are commonly used for flavoring. The Sichuan peppercorns provide a unique numbing and spicy sensation.
👩🍳 Steps to Prepare:
Here’s a simplified recipe to prepare Ants on a Tree Stump:
Ingredients:
- 200g ground pork
- 100g glass noodles (cellophane noodles)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger (minced)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns (crushed, adjust to taste)
- 2-3 green onions (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
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Soak the Glass Noodles: Place the glass noodles in a bowl of hot water and soak for about 10 minutes until they become soft. Drain and set aside.
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Cook the Ground Pork: Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger, and sauté until fragrant. Add the ground pork and cook until it’s no longer pink, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
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Season the Dish: Add the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and crushed Sichuan peppercorns to the cooked pork. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
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Add the Noodles: Add the soaked and drained glass noodles to the pan with the pork mixture. Stir-fry for a few minutes until the noodles are well coated with the sauce and heated through.
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Adjust Seasoning: Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
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Serve: Transfer the Ants on a Tree Stump to a serving dish and garnish with chopped green onions.
🕒 Time Needed:
The preparation time for Ants on a Tree Stump is approximately 30-40 minutes, including the soaking time for the glass noodles. It’s a relatively quick and easy dish to make, making it a great option for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Enjoy your delicious Ants on a Tree Stump! 🍽️🐜🌳
Nutrition Facts for a typical serving (about 1 cup) of Ants on a Tree Stump:
- Calories: Approximately 280-320 calories
- Protein: Around 12-15 grams
- Carbohydrates: About 30-35 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 1-2 grams
- Fat: 12-15 grams
- Saturated Fat: 3-4 grams
- Cholesterol: 30-40 milligrams
- Sodium: 600-800 milligrams
- Potassium: 200-250 milligrams
- Sugar: 3-4 grams
Please note that these values can vary depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used in your recipe. It’s also important to consider that the use of lean ground pork or alternative proteins and reduced sodium soy sauce can make this dish healthier. Additionally, the Sichuan peppercorns provide a unique flavor but can be quite spicy, so adjust the amount to your personal taste. Enjoy in moderation as part of a balanced diet!
