There is a lot of China bashing going on right now. This may be because of fear of the Covid 19 virus or it may be because of fear of a Chinese ascendency in a globalised world, or both. For now, sitting here in Ireland, half way between the US of A and China, I really don’t care which is the cause, give it a rest please. We are here to try a delightful dish inspired by the flavours of Sichuan, particularly the Sichuan peppercorn. It really is not a peppercorn. It doesn’t add any heat to dishes. But, it adds a fantastic flavour combined with a lip numbing effect. Lovely! So, with the politics out of the way, let’s get on with the cooking.
This recipe is for a Sichuan style Rabbit and Peanut Stir Fry. In truth, I wonder if rabbit is worth the trouble. It is significantly more expensive than chicken. It is more fiddly to prepare with a lot more waste relative to the meat and runs a real risk of being as dry as a camel’s footprint in the Sahara desert. Having said all that, this was a cracker. It provides a generous meal for two people.
Ingredients
- 1 rabbit*
- 500ml of good quality chicken (or rabbit ) stock
- 2 tablespoons of Sichuan peppercorns
- 3 tablespoons of peanuts
- 2 tablespoons of light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of black vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of rice wine or sherry
- 2 tablespoons of fermented black beans
- 4 or 5 spring onions
- 6cm of good quality root ginger
- 1 tablespoon of crispy chilli in oil or two fresh chillis
- Flour for dusting the rabbit
*Here in the west, we tend to not get our hands on the rabbit heads. In Sichuan, they are a particular delicacy. A friend who owns a Sichuan restaurant gets them occasionally as a treat for his chefs.
The first thing to do is to reconstitute the black beans in some hot water. While this is going on, dissect the rabbit into bite sized pieces.
Slice the ginger and spring onions as in the picture above. Dust the rabbit with the flour and fry it in a large wok until nicely browned. Meanwhile, dry fry the peanuts to get their flavour intensified and to make them a bit more crunchy. Add the ginger and spring onions to the rabbit. Stir fry this until aromatic.
Remove any seeds and spiky bits from the peppercorns (this is a tedious enough task that requires a deal of patience. Just do it.
Place them in a mortar along with most of the peanuts. Bash the bejasus out of them so you end up with a fine powdery paste. Add this to the frying.
Add in the rice wine and flame off the alcohol. Add the black beans, soy sauce, black vinegar and chilis.
Stir fry this until the the sauce reduces to a nice consistency. The rabbit should be cooked by the time the sauce has thickened.
Serve this over a nice bowl of white rice. Sprinkle the remaining peanuts and some chopped spring onions over the top. Why not double the ingredients and invite an American and a Chinese friend over for dinner? Whatever the politics of the current world order, this flavoursome dish will unite anybody at the table. If you use enough of the Sichuan peppercorns, they will not be able to speak anyway. Enjoy.
katechiconi | 12th June 2020
|
This sounds like the perfect meal to serve in order to promote détente. From the first bite, they will be unable to utter hostilities, and by the last, they will be so ravished by the flavour that any form of discord will be out of the question. The Irish secrete weapon: coinín síochánta!
Conor Bofin | Author | 19th June 2020
|
Thanks Kate,
I’m afraid that it will take a bit more than the rabbit to keep things calm. The pepper is a great addition to the menu as it really does numb and allow on to really appreciate the flavours.
Eha | 12th June 2020
|
I knew I could not get your quality lamb or beef where I shop . . . looking at poor headless bunny so perfectly arranged, don’t believe I am much luckier there either. But shall surely try ’cause I want to taste the result of these brilliant pouring shots as soon as I can ! Have loved cooking and eating Sichuan food since such was written Szechwan, haven’t used fermented black beans or black vinegar awhile and you are heavy on those peppercorns . . . . what fun to try ! Yes, we are closer to China than you and very much in its black books . . . barley exports to suffer and the beef ones and iron ore may not get thru’ nor Chinese students arrive in droves in our universities which kind’of run on their fees . . . oops, yes, no politics please . . . . hoping you are taking your bike and yourself off to the Wicklow Hills regularly, best . . .
Conor Bofin | Author | 19th June 2020
|
Hi Eha,
I’m getting up the mountains as often as I can. It’s essential for the health (both mental and physical). If some of our world leaders spent more time on the bike, I wouldn’t need to diss the politics.
Stay well,
Conor
Jody and Ken | 12th June 2020
|
OMG this looks fantastic, Conor! Jody and I both love rabbit, but I’ve never thought of doing it in a wok before. Looks and sounds delicious – definitely on my to-cook list. So now tell me about the cleaver. Ken
Conor Bofin | Author | 19th June 2020
|
Ha, the cleaver is a real favourite of mine. I bought it about 30 years ago in an Asian supermarket here in Dublin. They are really inexpensive and I’m sure you could get one local to you. They come wrapped in brown paper with Chinese writing on covering the blade. Mine now has that beloved patina that one can’t buy. If I remember correctly, the knife cost the equivalent of less than $20. A great investment.
Marty | 12th June 2020
|
I love just about anything with fermented black beans. Add in the Sichuan peppercorns and I’m in heaven. Thank you for my regular dose of “food porn” (and this week, “wok porn” — what a beautifully seasoned beast!) 🙂
Conor Bofin | Author | 19th June 2020
|
Thanks Marty,
I really enjoyed cooking this, even though the rabbit is more expensive and delivers less than a decent chicken. It’s worth mixing it up every now and then.
sherry | 13th June 2020
|
i love rabbit, tho we don’t eat it now, as it is very difficult to come by in queensland. it is illegal to keep rabbits (live ones) here, with a massive $65K fine! so you tend not to see them for eating either. my dad used to go out rabbit shooting and we often ate them when we were kids. but i did love that gamey taste as a youngster. but you’re right – not a lot of meat on the poor old carcass…
Conor Bofin | Author | 19th June 2020
|
Thanks for the insight Sherry. In Ireland back in the 1950s myxomatosis was deliberately into Ireland and the UK. It killed off most of our rabbit population. They were a bit of a pest but the ‘cure’ was brutal, inhumane and irresponsible. Wild rabbit is now a rare treat here.
Best,
C