Today, I’ll share one of my favorite quick and easy dinner recipes. It doesn’t really have an official name, but it’s like a delicious fusion of Japanese Tantanmen (Tan Tan Ramen) and Fettuccine Alfredo, so I call this dish “Creamy Tantan Spaghetti”. Creamy pasta with a hint of Asian flavors, it sounds like a tasty wonderland, doesn’t it? Give it a try, and it will just become your new weeknight hero.
Creamy Tantan Spaghetti (2 servings)
Ingredients:
- 1/2 yellow onion (optional)
- 3 green onions, divided
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 English cucumber
- 5.5 oz (160g) spaghetti
- 1 tbsp chili oil (or neutral-tasting oil), plus more to drizzle
- 1/2 tbsp neutral-tasting oil
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- Sichuan peppercorn oil (optional), to drizzle
- 2 tbsp crushed peanuts (or cashews, almonds, etc.), to serve
Tantan sauce:
Instructions:
PREP INGREDIENTS
1. Prepare the vegetables: Thinly slice the onion (if using). Thinly slice the green onions, separating the whites and greens. Finely chop the garlic cloves. Cut the cucumber into thin matchsticks.
2. Make the sauce: In a small container, combine all the sauce ingredients and mix well. Set aside.
DAKE THIN INTERSITS
1. Cook the noodles: Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. (No need to season the water with salt because our savory tantan sauce will perfectly flavor the noodles.)
2. Meanwhile, in a large pan, add 1 tablespoon of chili oil and 1/2 tablespoon of neutral oil, and heat it over medium-high heat. (If you don’t have chili oil, you can just use neutral oil, or adding a little bit of chopped peperoncino or chili flakes would be a great substitute.)
3. Once the pan is nice and hot, add the onion, white parts of the green onions, and garlic. Saute for 2 minutes or until the onion starts to soften and become translucent. Reduce the heat to lowadd the sauce, and stir for 1 minute.
4. Add the heavy cream. Stir and simmer for 3 minutes. (If you don’t have heavy cream, you can also use some milk and grate some cheese you like.)
5. Add the cooked pasta directly into the sauce and toss together for 2 minutes or until nicely coated.
6. Divide the pasta onto serving plates and top with a generous amount of cucumber and the green parts of the green onions. Drizzle with chili oil or Sichuan peppercorn oil, if desired.
7. Optionally, sprinkle with crushed peanuts or any nuts you like. Enjoy!
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