Ants Climbing a Tree Recipe(Ma Yi Shang Shu/蚂蚁上树)
Ants Climbing a Tree is a classic Sichuan dish featuring vermicelli noodles and ground pork as the main ingredients. The noodles are tender and the pork is savory, creating a rich and satisfying texture with layers of flavor. This dish is beloved for its unique and distinctive taste.
Many of you have expressed interest in making "Ants Climbing a Tree" at home but are worried about the complexity. To help, I’ve put together an authentic recipe for this dish, complete with detailed tips and tricks to ensure you can make it perfectly every time.
1.About "Ants Climbing a Tree"
"Ants Climbing a Tree," also known as minced meat with vermicelli, is a classic traditional dish from Sichuan Province. The name comes from the way the minced meat clings to the vermicelli, resembling ants climbing on branches. The exact origins of this dish are difficult to trace, but there’s a legend linking the name to Dou E, a character in a play by Guan Hanqing. It's said that Dou E made this dish by stir-frying finely chopped pork with vermicelli for her mother-in-law, who loved it and gave it the name "Ants Climbing a Tree."
The dish's main ingredients are vermicelli (or glass noodles) and minced meat, with additional flavor from carrots, ginger, scallions, and fermented bean paste. The final dish has a light and smooth texture, with a delicious flavor and a vibrant red color, making it a unique culinary experience.
2.Which Vermicelli to Use for Ants Climbing a Tree
For Ants Climbing a Tree, it is generally recommended to use sweet potato vermicelli. Sweet potato vermicelli is known for its firmness and elasticity, offering a smooth and chewy texture.
3. Can You Substitute Beef for Pork?
Yes, you can substitute beef for pork. Traditionally, Ants Climbing a Tree is made with pork, but if you don't eat pork due to religious reasons or personal preference, you can use other types of meat, such as beef or chicken.
4. Ingredients
To make Ants Climbing a Tree, you'll need the following ingredients:
Sweet potato vermicelli
Pork belly
Chopped scallions
Minced garlic
Chili peppers
Light soy sauce
Dark soy sauce
Hot water
Minced ginger
Green peppers
Doubanjiang (fermented bean paste)
Oyster sauce
Chicken powder
5. How to Soften Sweet Potato Vermicelli
Here’s how to soften sweet potato vermicelli:
Place the sweet potato vermicelli in a large bowl.
Add room-temperature water, making sure the water fully covers the vermicelli.
Let the vermicelli soak, the time needed depends on the thickness, typically around 20-30 minutes.
Gently stir the vermicelli with your hand to help it absorb water more evenly.
Once the vermicelli is soft, drain and rinse it, then it’s ready for cooking.
Important Tip:
Avoid using hot water to soak the vermicelli, as it can affect the texture, making it less chewy.
6. What to Pair with Ants Climbing a Tree
In China, Ants Climbing a Tree is typically served with rice, which complements the tender texture of the vermicelli and the savory, spicy flavor of the minced meat.
Besides rice, you can pair this dish with a light vegetable salad or stir-fried greens to add more texture and nutritional balance to the meal.
For those who prefer stronger flavors, a refreshing side of cold pickled vegetables can help balance the spiciness of the dish, offering a more complex and enjoyable dining experience.
7. More Delicious Vermicelli Recipes
Xinjiang Stir-Fried Rice Noodles
Suan La Fen (Hot and Sour Noodle Soup, 酸辣粉)
Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of Ants Climbing a Tree, let's get started on making this delicious dish together! If you enjoy our recipes, be sure to follow us—we'll keep bringing you more mouthwatering dishes.
INGREDIENTS
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- 150g Sweet Potato Vermicelli
- 100g Pork Belly
ACCESSORIES
- 5g Chopped Green Onion
- A suitable amount of Minced Garlic
- 3 Small Chili Peppers
- A suitable amount of Minced Ginger
- 2 Green Chili Peppers
SEASONINGS
- 2 tablespoons Light Soy Sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon Dark Soy Sauce
- 1 small bowl of Hot Water
- 1 tablespoon Doubanjiang (Fermented Bean Paste)
- 1 tablespoon Oyster Sauce
- A pinch of Chicken Powder
DIRECTIONS
STEP 1
Prepare all the ingredients:
Clean and mince 100g of pork belly into ground meat.
Soak 150g of sweet potato noodles in water for 20 minutes until softened, then cut into large sections and set aside.
Finely chop 5g of green onions, and mince the required amount of ginger and garlic. Clean and dice 3 small chili peppers and 2 green peppers.
STEP 2
Heat a wok and add cooking oil.
Once the oil is hot, add the minced green onions, ginger, and garlic.
Stir-fry over medium heat until fragrant.
Add the ground pork belly to the wok.
STEP 3
Stir-fry the ground pork over medium heat, breaking it apart.
Cook until the fat is rendered and the meat changes color.
Add 1 tablespoon of doubanjiang (bean paste).
Stir-fry over medium heat until the oil turns red.
STEP 4
Add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.
Add 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce and stir to combine.
Stir well.
Pour in 1 small bowl of hot water and turn the heat to high.
STEP 5
Add a small amount of dark soy sauce to the sauce to enhance the color.
STEP 6
Once the sauce comes to a boil, add the soaked sweet potato noodles.
STEP 7
Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 5 minutes.
STEP 8
Once the sauce has thickened and reduced, uncover the pot.
Stir briefly, then add the diced green and chili peppers.
Sprinkle in a small amount of chicken powder.
Quickly stir everything together until evenly mixed.
STEP 9
Stir for a short while until the chili peppers are cooked through, then transfer to a serving plate.
STEP 10
Your delicious Ants Climbing a Tree is ready to enjoy!
Recipe analyzer
- Recipes: Ants Climbing a Tree Recipe(Ma Yi Shang Shu/蚂蚁上树)
- Main Ingredients:7
- Servings per recipe:1
- Servings size:484 g
-
Energy (calories):673 kcal
-
Protein:17.62 g
-
Fat:54.23 g
Why gray?
-
Carbohydrates:34.89 g
-
Protein: 9%60 kcal
-
Fat: 73%488 kcal
-
Carbohydrates: 19%125 kcal
The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.
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