Tan Tan Ramen

• servings: 2 servings
• total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

8 ounces ground pork ((can substitute any other ground meat))

1 tablespoon mirin

1 tablespoon ginger ((minced))

1 tablespoon vegetable oil ((or any other neutral oil))

1 tablespoon spicy bean sauce ((Sichuan doubanjiang))

2 cloves garlic ((minced))

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons sesame paste ((can substitute peanut butter))

1 teaspoon rice vinegar

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon Chili Oil ((preferably homemade))

2 cups chicken stock

2 cups unsweetened oat milk or soy milk

2 handfuls leafy greens ((such as spinach, baby bok choy, or yu choy, trimmed and washed))

10-12 ounces fresh ramen noodles

2 scallions ((chopped))

Directions

Combine the ground pork with the mirin and minced ginger. Set aside for 15 minutes to marinate.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, make the tare for the soup base. Whisk together the soy sauce, sesame paste, rice vinegar, sugar, and chili oil until smooth. Set aside.

Combine the chicken stock and oat milk in a pot, and bring to a simmer. Cover to keep warm. (Do not let this mixture go above a low simmer. If it boils, the milk may split, causing it to curdle.) Also bring a large pot of water to a boil for the leafy greens and the noodles.

Heat a wok over medium high heat until it begins to smoke. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and the pork. Brown the pork until the bits of ground meat are crispy. Add the spicy bean sauce and minced garlic, and cook for another minute. Turn off the heat and set aside.

To the pot of boiling water, add the green vegetables and blanch for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove from the water, drain, and set aside. Bring the water to a rolling boil again, and add the noodles, cooking them according to package directions until they’re just cooked through and still chewy.

Add half of the sesame paste mixture to each bowl, followed by the hot simmering stock/milk mixture. Stir to combine. Divide the cooked noodles between the two bowls, and top with the cooked pork, blanched veggies, and chopped scallions. If you like yours extra spicy, you can add a bit more chili oil on top.

Nutrition

• Calories: 931 kcal
• Total Fat: 61 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 82 mg
• Sodium: 939 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 57 g
• Dietary Fiber: 5 g
• Total Sugars: 7 g
• Protein: 43 g