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beefnoodlespeanut butter

Dan Dan-Inspired Beef Noodles

Fresh ramen noodles are tossed with a creamy peanut chilli sauce and topped with seasoned beef, bok choy, cucumber and spring onions.

Chef Jack Ovens

Fresh ramen noodles are tossed with a creamy peanut chilli sauce and topped with seasoned beef, bok choy, cucumber and spring onions.

15 min
Prep time
20 min
Cook time
35 min
Total time
5 meal-prep portions
Yield

Ingredients

20 ingredients
  • 750 g lean beef mince, 5% fat
  • 5–6 spring onions, white parts finely sliced and green parts reserved
  • 25 g fresh ginger, finely grated
  • 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine, 30 ml
  • 1 tablespoon low-sodium light soy sauce, 15 ml, for the beef
  • 1 tablespoon low-sodium dark soy sauce, 15 ml, for the beef
  • 1 teaspoon avocado or neutral cooking oil, 5 ml
  • 3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter, 48 g
  • 2 tablespoons chilli crisp, 30 ml
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar, 8 g
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium light soy sauce, 30 ml, for the sauce
  • 1 tablespoon low-sodium dark soy sauce, 15 ml, for the sauce
  • 5 garlic cloves, finely grated
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, 5 ml
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar, 15 ml
  • 50 ml reserved noodle water
  • 450 g fresh ramen noodles
  • 3 baby bok choy, halved lengthways
  • 1 medium cucumber, approximately 300 g, julienned, optional
  • Additional chilli crisp, optional, for serving

Method

20 steps
  1. Bring a large saucepan of well-salted water to a boil.
  2. Place the grated garlic, peanut butter, chilli crisp, sugar, both soy sauces for the Dan Dan sauce, sesame oil and rice wine vinegar in a mixing bowl.
  3. Whisk the sauce until completely smooth and set it aside.
  4. Finely grate the ginger and slice the white parts of the spring onions.
  5. Thinly slice the reserved spring onion greens and place them in ice-cold water to keep them crisp.
  6. Heat the neutral oil in a large frying pan over high heat until very hot.
  7. Add the beef mince and leave it undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes, until a deep brown crust forms.
  8. Break up the beef and continue cooking until browned throughout.
  9. Add the spring onion whites and ginger and cook for 2 minutes, stirring regularly.
  10. Add the light and dark soy sauces intended for the beef.
  11. Pour in the Shaoxing wine and scrape the caramelised residue from the base of the pan.
  12. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, until the beef looks glossy and most loose liquid has evaporated. Remove it from the heat.
  13. Blanch the bok choy in the boiling water for 60 seconds, then remove it with a slotted spoon.
  14. Cook the fresh ramen noodles in the same water according to their packet instructions.
  15. Reserve 50 ml noodle water before draining the noodles.
  16. Whisk the reserved noodle water gradually into the peanut sauce until smooth and pourable.
  17. Immediately toss the hot drained noodles through the sauce until every strand is coated.
  18. Divide the noodles evenly among five containers or bowls.
  19. Top each portion with beef, bok choy and drained spring onion greens.
  20. Add julienned cucumber if using. Serve extra chilli crisp separately.
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Recipe notes

Helpful tips

  • Leave the beef untouched initially so it develops a deeply browned crust.
  • Grate the garlic and ginger so they distribute evenly.
  • Keep sesame oil out of the hot pan to preserve its aroma.
  • Reserve the noodle water before draining.
  • Place spring onion greens in ice water to keep them crisp.
  • Chilli crisp varies considerably in heat, oil and sodium between brands.

Equipment

  • Large frying pan
  • Large saucepan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Colander
  • Fine grater
  • Slotted spoon
  • Five meal-prep containers

Storage

Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze without the cucumber and bok choy for up to 1 month. Reheat until steaming, adding a splash of water if the noodles have dried out.

Additional tips

  • Contains peanuts, soy, wheat and sesame. Shaoxing wine contains alcohol. The dish can be high in sodium even with reduced-sodium soy sauce. Extra chilli crisp and optional cucumber are not included in the published nutrition.

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