Sichuan Pesto Noodles

There are lots of ways to add spice to your meals, but when we’re looking for something really special, we turn to Sichuan peppercorns. These peppers bring a unique herbal spice with a gentle numbing effect to the lips and tongue. You’ve probably encountered them in Chinese food dishes like Sichuan Chicken, and they’re also surprisingly great to add depth to a sweet dish, like Chocolate Brioche. Paired with a few other unexpected ingredients, these peppercorns add new intrigue to the old standby of pesto and pasta.

A little goes a long way, particularly in this recipe. Make sure to grind the peppercorns into a fine powder before adding them to the other ingredients so the flavor is equally distributed and can shine among the other ingredients in the pesto. Thai basil is worth seeking out, as its anise-forward, peppery profile pairs well with soy sauce and sesame oil. If you’re unsure of how you’ll handle the spice, make sure to garnish with plenty of Parmesan to mellow the heat ;)

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