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Ingredient Fri Apr 06 2007
Grocery list
Yes, Sichuan peppercorns are legal again
Sichuan cuisine may seem intimidating, but while some of the dishes are very labor intensive (the crispy smoked tea duck mentioned below comes to mind), some of the flavor combinations are actually pretty easy to achieve -- if you have the right ingredients. Try picking up some Sichuan peppercorns and some chili bean paste. These two ingredients can be used to make the simplest stir fry with some minced ginger, soy sauce, and green beans; and of course you can easily extend a stir fry to include other vegetables, meats, tofu, etc.
Sichuan peppercorns were illegal in the US for a while (something about a citrus canker), but they're legal again now, which means you can pick them up at various places in Chinatown, or from Penzey's. Generally they come whole and have to be toasted and ground before using. You may be able to find chili bean paste (sometimes called chili bean sauce at your local grocery store if it's well stocked; otherwise it's easy enough to get at Chinese specialty groceries in Chinatown or elsewhere.
