MALA XIANG GUO ( SPICY NUMBING STIR FRY)
The term MALA is a combination of two Chinese words; the character Ma literally translates to numbing and the character La means spicy. The name of this dish actually describes the experience of eating the sauce - it’s very hot and spicy and numbing in the mouth and on the tongue. The numbing is induced by the use of Sichuan Peppercorns.
MALA sauce originated from China’s Sichuan province.
INGREDIENTS FOR SPICE INFUSED OIL:
2-3 tbsp OIL
1-2 star anise
1tbsp Sichuan peppercorns
½ tbsp fennel seeds
½ black cardamom
Small cinnamon stick
1bay leaf
10-12 dried red chillies( hydrate, deseed and cut into smaller pieces)
VEGETABLES:
2-3 rehydrated shiitake mushrooms
2-3 rehydrated bean curd sheets
1-2 enoki mushrooms
1potato, sliced
Spring onions
Few slivers of carrots
Chinese cabbage
2-3 Pak Choy
Few slices of Lotus stem
OTHERS:
1tbsp broad bean paste( doubanjiang)
½ tbsp chilli paste( optional)
1tbsp Shaoxing wine
5-6 fish balls, cooked or fish cakes
3-4 slices of Ginger
3-4 Prawns, cooked
1tbsp roasted peanuts
1tbsp Sichuan peppercorns, crushed
150 -200 gms Chicken, sliced
1tbsp Soya sauce
½ tsp Sugar
Potato starch noodles, soaked in water for 10 mins, then cooked
1tbsp sesame seeds
Salt to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
Boil all vegetables individually( remember not to overcook ) Keep aside
Heat oil in a pot to prepare the spice infused oil
Fry the spices mentioned in the spice infused oil until fragrant. ( except the red chillies)
Remove and discard the spices
In same oil fry the hydrated red chillies. Fry until chilli colour changes. Drain and keep aside for use later
In the same pan add ginger, bean paste and chilli paste and fry for 2-3 mins
Add Shaoxing wine and fry for 1-2 mins
Add chicken and stir fry until 60 % done
Add prawns and fry
Add all the boiled vegetables as noodles and continue to stir fry until all vegetables are coated
Add the fried red chillies
Add crushed Sichuan peppercorns
Add peanuts
Add soya sauce, sugar and adjust seasoning
Garnish with coriander and spring onion and sesame seeds
And you are done, your spicy, numbing delicious MALA Xiang Guo is ready
Serve hot with a bowl of rice !!! Enjoy
SPICE LEVEL: 🌶🌶🌶🌶