Ants in A Tree (recipe)
Filed Under meat, entrées | Posted on July 11, 2008
I first learnt of this recipe via Sara Moulton’s excellent (and now defunct) Food Network series “Sara’s Secrets”. It was my first introduction to the culinary history of Singapore, and I’ve been hooked on learning as much as I can ever since. Much like Trinidad Singapore has been a melting pot of cultures, and these influences are reflected in the local cuisine.
This particular dish, Ants in a Tree, gets its name cos the ground meat separates to resemble ants, against the cellophane noodles. Now, I hate ants but I give this dish two thumbs up! The original recipe used pork, but I substituted with ground beef. Ground chicken would also be quite delightful I’d wager 
Ants In A Tree
SERVINGS: 8
SOURCE: Sara Moulton Cooks at Home
INGREDIENTS:
Kosher salt
1 lb. cellophane noodles (bean threads) or angel hair pasta
2 lb. ground meat
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons Asian (toasted) sesame oil
1.33 tablespoons cornstarch
12 scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced
3/8 cups vegetable oil
2 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
8 cloves, garlic minced
2 tablespoons Asian chile paste
4 cups shredded Napa cabbage
1 1/3 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
Freshly ground black pepper
METHOD:
1) Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
2) Add the noodles and bring back to a boil.
3) Boil for 1 minute for cellophane noodles and 2 to 3 minutes for angel hair pasta.
4) Drain in a colander and rinse under running water. Set aside.
5) Stir the meat with 2 tablespoons of the soy sauce, the sesame oil, the cornstarch, and 1/2 of the scallions in a small bowl.
6) Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until almost smoking.
7) Add the ginger, garlic, and chile paste.
Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
9) Add the meat mixture and cook for 1 minute longer.
10) Stir in the cabbage and the remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce.
11) Cook, stirring, until the cabbage is almost wilted, 1 to 2 minutes.
12) Add the cooked noodles and cook, cutting them slightly with the side of the spatula, until the meat is no longer pink, about 1 minute.
13) Pour in the chicken stock and add the remaining scallions.
14) Season with salt and pepper and reduce the heat to medium-low.
15) Cover loosely with foil and simmer until the noodles have absorbed some of the stock, about 3 minutes
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7 Responses to “Ants in A Tree (recipe)”
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does she have any shows anymore?
i’ve always loved her show and cooking live before
i like watching her…i mean the info she gives
man! that just sucks … hmph!
That looks really good Nikki
I think Sara’s show went off because the format was a little too bland for viewers
hi–I have heard gossip that Sara Molton may be opening an interesting sandwich shop in the East Village in New York City–
Rice noodles are my favourite cooked any way.
OMG DELICIOUS… you got my vote.
Those other guys.. pfft. Okra. I HATE OKRA. LOL.
It looks delicious! I’d probably use either beef or pork. As for Sara Moulton: yes, she was as dull as a doornail. But a good cook? Yes. Her show was better than some of the useless shows on the Food Network today. (Does Guy Fieri really need three shows? Really?)
Lilandra, Marsha - Sara ruled.
Melanie - That would be interesting! Let me know more if you find out
Cynthia - Most definitely!
Anthony - awww poor lil okra
John - I was about to complain about Guy Fieri, but you took the words right out of my mouth.. ack!