Cozy up with these comforting of sichuan pepper recipes — simple dishes that warm the heart.
Salt and Pepper Calamari is a crisp, punchy squid dish coated in a 1:1 flour-and-cornstarch mix, fried until lightly browned, then tossed through sizzling minced garlic and chopped parsley. The finish is all about the bold kick of freshly ground Sichuan pepper, black pepper, and salt—fragrant, spicy, and seriously moreish.
"Melon rings stuffed with yam" is a fresh and elegant home-cooked dish. Cut the crisp and tender cucumber into even round slices, remove the middle part to make green "small rings", then mix the delicate and soft yam paste with minced meat and season it, roll it into round small balls, and firmly embed it in the cucumber rings. After steaming, the cucumber rings maintain a bright green color with a faint fragrance, while the yam meatballs in the middle absorb the essence of both, and the taste is soft and tender without losing chewiness. The whole dish is exquisitely shaped, and the yellow and green colors are particularly refreshing. The entrance has both the crispness of cucumbers and the denseness of yam and the freshness of minced meat. It is light and not greasy, and is suitable for both daily dishes and banquet side dishes.
A bold, warming Chongqing-style chicken pot packed with chicken legs, potato, bamboo shoots, and konjac, all coated in spicy bean paste and hot pot base. Sichuan pepper and dried chillies bring that signature fragrant heat, finished with sesame oil for an extra hit of aroma and richness.
Flavor characteristics: This is a quick-pickled vegetable (pickled pepper radish), with a short pickling time (usually a few hours to a day before eating). It has a sour, spicy, and crunchy taste, with the numbing aroma of Sichuan peppercorns. It is refreshing and appetizing, and can also be eaten as a snack.
- The white color of white tofu, the brown color of preserved eggs and the golden color of cooked soybeans complement each other, creating a sharp contrast in color. Adding the color of the sauce and the embellishment of seasonings such as chopped green onions and red peppers, the whole dish looks attractive, beautiful and generous, which can increase appetite.
Spicy Numbing Prawn turns flattened, corn-starch–coated prawns into delicate, bouncy “prawn chips,” briefly cooked then chilled for extra snap. They’re finished with a punchy jiao-ma style dressing—garlic, ginger, spring onions, red chillies, and ground Sichuan pepper bloomed with hot oil, then rounded out with soy sauce, oyster sauce, Sichuan pepper oil, and a touch of sugar—topped with sesame and coriander.
Tender slices of beef, coated in a rich, savory sauce, are stir-fried with crisp bamboo shoots over high heat, creating a wonderful flavor combination. The sweetness of the bamboo shoots balances the richness of the beef, while shredded red peppers add a touch of spiciness. The golden sauce coats every ingredient, resulting in tender, juicy beef and crisp, sweet bamboo shoots – a truly unforgettable and delicious home-style dish.
Sichuan cured pork belly—that's a longing etched into the DNA of every Sichuanese. In previous years, we'd eat cured pork belly made from pigs raised by our neighbors back home. Those pigs were raised for over a year, so they were incredibly fatty; the fat slices alone were as wide as a hand, making it quite a hefty meal. This year, I decided to make it myself—a down-to-earth, family-style version. I specifically chose leaner cuts of pork, finally achieving "cured pork belly freedom"! Look at this! The layers of fat are distinct, golden and translucent, glistening with oil—it makes my mouth water just looking at it. Unlike the dark, charred kind from smoking back home, this is clean and easy to wash. A close sniff reveals a subtle cypress aroma mixed with the numbing fragrance of Sichuan peppercorns. Steaming it releases a rich, smoky flavor that fills the room. The fatty parts are tender and not greasy, while the lean parts are firm and chewy—every bite is the taste of home.
This combination of Kung Pao Chicken and other ingredients makes it a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate. Tender chicken pieces are paired with crisp cucumber and sweet carrots, all coated in a rich sauce. It's also garnished with crunchy peanuts and bright red dried chilies. The flavor is savory, slightly spicy, and a little sweet, creating a super rich and complex taste experience. It's definitely a perfect dish to eat with rice!