About the recipe

In Sichuan they love cured pork and for starters you will often find a delicious spicy cucumber salad in vinegar and Sichuan pepper oil. Inspired by these ingredients, I have used smoked bacon or lardons, hich gives this dish its smoky saltiness, and Sichuan peppercorns to provide numbing heat. The cucumber and rice vinegar help to cut through those flavours, making this a nunbelievably addictive and moreish dish. A great starter, it helps to 'kai-wei' - open up the appetite.

Steps

• Cut the bacon (or lardons) into 1cm/½ inch thick pieces. Heat a wok or pan over a high heat and add the groundnut oil. Add the dried chillies and Sichuan peppercorns and stir-fry for a few seconds until fragrant.
• Add the star anise and bacon or lardons and stir-fry until they have turned golden brown at the edges. Add the chopped chilli and stir-fry for a few seconds.
• Add the rice wine or sherry, the sesame oil and vinegar and stir-fry for a few seconds, then add the cucumber and stir-fry for a few seconds.
• Season with the salt, dried chilli flakes and lime juice.
• Place on a serving plate, drizzle over the chilli oil, garnish with the chopped coriander,sprinkle over some peanuts, if you like them, and serve immediately.

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