How to make Malatang at home

Method6 steps · about 1 hr 10 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Boil the 60 g dried chilies in additional water for a couple of minutes, then drain and mince. Separately soak the star anise (3), cinnamon, bay leaf (1), fennel, cloves (2), tangerine peel and Sichuan peppercorns (2 tbsp.) in water, then drain before adding them to the hot oil later.

   Uses 60 g dried chili peppers · Boiling water as needed to soften dried chilies; additional water to soak whole spices · 3 star anise · 1 cinnamon stick · 1 bay leaf · 1 tsp fennel seeds · 2 cloves · 5 g dried tangerine peel

2. 2

   Step 2: Heat the measured 3 cups vegetable oil with the cilantro stems (5), green onions (5) and shallots (10) until the aromatics wilt and release their fragrance. Lift out and discard these spent aromatics, retaining the infused oil.

   Uses 3 cups vegetable oil · 5 cilantro stems · 5 green onions · 10 shallots

3. 3

   Step 3: Over the lowest heat, fry the measured 4 tablespoons doubanjiang in the infused oil until the oil turns red.

   Uses Aromatic infused vegetable oil · 4 tbsp doubanjiang (spicy bean paste)

4. 4

   Step 4: Add the minced chilies, drained pre-soaked whole spices, fermented black beans (1 tbsp), rice wine (2 tbsp), ginger, rock sugar (20 g), salt (1 tsp) and light soy sauce (to taste) to taste. Cook gently 15 minutes to combine the flavors, stirring to prevent burning. Add the 600 ml water and bring the prepared soup base to a simmer.

   Simmer soup base · 15 minUses Infused oil and fried doubanjiang · Minced softened chilies · Drained pre-soaked whole spices · 1 tbsp fermented black beans · 2 tbsp rice wine · 20 g rock sugar · 1 tsp salt · 2 ginger slices

5. 5

   Step 5: Prepare the main ingredients, cutting vegetables into bite-size pieces and pre-blanching sliced potato (1)/lotus root (1/4) in additional boiling water until almost tender. Put the chicken wings (12) into the simmering soup base first and cook through; they should reach 165°F(74°C). Add the other ingredients according to their cooking time, adding pre-blanched roots and quick-cooking vegetables near the end. Heat the Spam (10 slices)/tofu through and cook the mushrooms and remaining vegetables until tender.

   Uses Prepared malatang soup base · 10 slices of spam · oyster mushrooms · 1/4 section of lotus root · 12 chicken wings · 1/4 zucchini · 7 button mushrooms · 1 potatoes (sliced)

6. 6

   Step 6: Once cooked, transfer to a large bowl or pot, garnish toasted sesame seeds (1 tbsp), green onion and coriander.

   Uses Cooked malatang with wings, Spam, tofu and vegetables · 1 tbsp sesame seeds · Additional fresh chopped green onion for garnish (quantity unspecified) · Additional fresh coriander for garnish (quantity unspecified)