Mysterious-Flavor Turkey or Chicken (怪味)

Yield: Serves 4

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Notes:

Tahini or peanut butter can substitute for sesame paste; adjust Sichuan peppercorn to taste.

This dish works great on its own, in lettuce wraps, with slivered cucumber, or tossed with cold noodles (add a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce). It also makes an excellent cold turkey/chicken salad sandwich — deeply flavorful without mayonnaise.

Ingredients

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For the Turkey or Chicken

1 ½ pounds (680g) cooked turkey or chicken breast, shredded or thinly sliced

3 scallions (2 sliced thinly on a bias and soaked for curls, 1 chopped)

Small handful cilantro, leaves and tender stems

1 tablespoon (9g) black or white sesame seeds

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For the sauce

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1 teaspoon (2–3g) Sichuan peppercorns (red or green, husks only), lightly crushed

2 tablespoons (32g) roasted Chinese sesame paste (or tahini)

2 tablespoons (30g) chili oil or chili crisp

2 tablespoons (30g) Chinese black vinegar (Chinkiang, or balsamic in a pinch)

1 tablespoon (15g) light soy sauce or Japanese shoyu

1–2 teaspoons (4–8g) sugar

2 tablespoons (30ml) turkey or chicken stock (optional but recommended)

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon (5g) minced fresh ginger

Pinch kosher salt

Pinch MSG (about ⅛ the amount of salt)

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1. Prep the scallions: Thiny slice two of the scallions on a very sharp bias and sock in a bowl of cold water while you prep the rest of the dish. Chop the remaining scallion into thin slices and add to a medium bowl.

2. Shred the turkey: Pull the turkey meat into long, thin fibers with your fingers. Transfer to the bowl with the chopped scallions. Add the cilantro and sesame seeds, reserving some of both for garnish.

3. Make the sauce: - Crush Sichuan peppercorns in a mortar and pestle. Add remaining sauce ingredients and, using the mortar, work into a smooth, emulsified paste. Taste and adjust the flavor with more chili oil, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, salt, or MSG to taste.

4. Combine: Add the sauce to the bowl with the turkey and fold to thoroughly combine. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the scallion curls, more sesame seeds and chopped cilantro, and a drizzle of chili oil.

5. Serve