Fresh coriander leaves for decoratingor blanched celery leaves
Chili oil with black vinegar
1cupvegetable cooking oil
50gchili pepper powder
1small pinch of salt
1tablespoontoasted sesame seeds
2star anises
2bay leaves
2slicesof ginger
10Sichuan peppercorns
1small piece of Chinese cinnamon bark
2teaspoonsblack vinegar
Instructions
Mix salt with all-purpose flour in a large bowl and then stir with chop stickers when pouring water. Then knead until almost smooth. Rest for 15 minutes.
Pour enough water to cover the dough and begin washing with the purpose of separating the gluten out. Repeat the process until the gluten is no longer shrinking. Transfer the gluten out and wash once again. Strain the second liquid back to the bowl with the first batch. Set aside for at least 4 hours (or overnight in cool places) until the starch sank to the bottom and there is a layer of clear water.
Wash the gluten under running water for several minutes until the water coming out is clear but not creamy white. Add 1 teaspoon of instant yeast and set aside to proof for around 4 hours. And then steam for 15 minutes over high fire. If you are on a gluten free diet, just throw the gluten away. No worries.
Pour the clear water out (can keep a really thin layer around 0.5 cm) and stir the remaining liquid to combine well.
Prepare a plate (stainless steel plate with edges will be the best, like this one), but make sure that your steamed pot can hold it. Besides we also need a small cup of oil and a brush. Bring water to boil in wok or pot.
Slightly brush oil on the surface of plate (around 5 to 6 drops) and scoop around 3/4 cup liquid after stirring (see note 2 for the amount adjusting tip). Shake the plate slightly to make the liquid spread evenly on the surface.
Transfer the plate to the steaming wok; cover the lid and steam over medium for around 2 minutes. When done, the liangpi becomes transparent and there might be large bubbles in center. Transfer out and brush some oil on the upside (so they will be sticky to each other later). Wait for 2-3 minutes until cool down, tear the liangpi off carefully. To speed up the process, prepare several plates with the same size so you can steam and cool down alternately.
Cut the liangpi into strips around 1 to 1.5 cm wide after cool dome COMPLETELY otherwise you may break them.
To make the chili oil
Mix salt and chili powder and spread sesame seeds on top.
Heat up oil with spices in pot over slow fire until you can smell the aroma of the spices. Scoop the spices out and leave the oil to continue heating for several minutes until slightly smoky. Move from fire and wait for 1-2 minutes.
Carefully pour the oil over the chili powder (by batches if it is boiling strongly). I will recommend using a larger bowl at your first time to avoid the oil overflow. Set aside for several minutes and add 2 teaspoons of black vinegar.
Assemble the liangpi
Prepare all the seasonings, chili oil, steamed gluten, Liangpi strips. Add soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and garlic water and chili oil one by one. Mix well and taste whether additionally salt is needed. Decorate with coriander leaves before serving.
Notes
Note 1: if you do not want to bother washing the flour, you can use wheat starch and water to make the liquid directly. But make sure to add 5%-10% flour to increase the elasticity.Note 2:The Liangpi should be around 0.3-0.5 cm thick so you will need to adjust the amount for each Liangpi. Usually a good amount will be found after two batches.Note 3: You can also add sesame paste to make sesame Liangpi.Note 4: Keep the chili oil in clean container for later dishes up for 1 month.