{"id":"recipe_de18c7239d","slug":"doubanjiang-sichuan-spicy-bean-paste","title":"Doubanjiang (Sichuan Spicy Bean Paste)","description":"A traditional, deeply savory, and fiery fermented paste known as the 'soul of Sichuan cuisine', made from fermented broad beans and fresh red chilies.","serves":140,"time":{"prepMinutes":60,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":129690,"activeMinutes":90},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g dried broad beans (fava beans), peeled","name":"Broad Beans","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"dried and peeled","notes":"also known as fava beans","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1kg fresh red erjingtiao chilies","name":"Red Chili","quantity":1,"unit":"kg","usQuantity":2.2,"usUnit":"lb","form":"fresh","notes":"prefer Erjingtiao variety for authenticity","group":"spice","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"250g sea salt","name":"Sea Salt","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":8.8,"usUnit":"oz","form":"granulated","notes":"used for preservation and fermentation","group":"preservative","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"50g wheat flour","name":"Wheat Flour","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"powder","notes":"to help the koji mold grow on the beans","group":"fermentation","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"50g fresh ginger","name":"Ginger","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 tbsp Sichuan peppercorns","name":"Sichuan Peppercorns","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"whole","notes":"toasted","group":"aromatics","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"50ml high-proof alcohol (Baijiu or Vodka)","name":"High-proof alcohol","quantity":50,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"minimum 50% ABV to prevent bad bacteria","group":"preservative","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"200ml vegetable oil","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":200,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"3/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"for sealing the jar","group":"preservative","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Soak the dried broad beans in water overnight until they have doubled in size. Remove any remaining skins if necessary.","group":"Preparation","title":"Soak the dried broad beans","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Steam the soaked beans for about 30 minutes at 100°C (212°F) until they are tender but still hold their shape.","group":"Cooking","title":"Steam the soaked beans","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Drain the beans and let them cool slightly. Toss them with the wheat flour until evenly coated. Place them in a shallow tray, cover with a breathable cloth, and leave in a dark, cool place for 3 to 5 days until a yellow-green mold (koji) develops.","group":"Primary Fermentation","title":"Drain the beans and let them cool slightly","timerMinutes":7200,"sourceTitle":"Primary Fermentation"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Wash and dry the fresh red chilies completely. Remove stems and grind or finely chop the chilies.","group":"Chili Prep","title":"Wash and dry the fresh red chilies completely","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Chili Prep"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"In a large ceramic jar, combine the fermented beans, chopped chilies, sea salt, minced ginger, toasted Sichuan peppercorns, and high-proof alcohol. Mix thoroughly.","group":"Mixing","title":"Combine the fermented beans, chopped chilies, sea salt, minced ginger","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Mixing"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Pour the vegetable oil over the top to seal the mixture. Cover the jar with a breathable lid or cloth. Place the jar in a sunny spot. Every morning, open the jar and stir the mixture to introduce oxygen; close it before sunset. Repeat this for at least 3 months.","group":"Aging","title":"Pour the vegetable oil","timerMinutes":129600,"sourceTitle":"Aging"}],"notes":"Traditional Doubanjiang requires months of fermentation in the sun. The key is 'turning by day, drying by night' to develop its complex umami flavor.","cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Sichuan","Chinese"]},"course":["sauce"],"cookingMethod":["noCook","boil","steam"],"equipment":["ceramic jar","shallow tray","steamer","food processor or cleaver"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","low_fat"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","soy"],"difficulty":"hard","yield":{"amount":2,"unit":"kg","note":"Total weight of finished fermented paste"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"This recipe is entirely make-ahead and requires months to reach peak flavor."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in a cool, dark place or in the refrigerator. Ensure the surface is always covered with a thin layer of oil to prevent spoilage.","reheatingNotes":"Do not reheat; use as a seasoning base for stir-frys."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_de18c7239d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=febf535c-e733-4857-894b-7f5e1b167e24","imageAlt":"Doubanjiang (Sichuan Spicy Bean Paste) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["spicy","fermented","sichuan","umami","pantry-staple"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Doubanjiang (Sichuan Spicy Bean Paste)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T20:07:45.506Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T20:07:45.506Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_83e4467100","slug":"hoisin-sauce","title":"Hoisin Sauce","description":"A rich, savory, and sweet East Asian condiment perfect for glazing meats, dipping, or enhancing stir-fries.","serves":16,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Chinese","Cantonese"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","dairy_free","egg_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_83e4467100%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=cd54aa27-ba7a-4547-b221-fc501d61746c","imageAlt":"Hoisin Sauce — recipe cover","tags":["hoisin","condiment","stir-fry","dipping sauce","savory","sweet"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":3},{"id":"recipe_7ae437116a","slug":"homemade-teriyaki-sauce","title":"Homemade Teriyaki Sauce","description":"A classic, glossy East Asian glaze that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors for marinating or stir-frying.","serves":8,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","dairy_free","nut_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7ae437116a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f066700d-234b-463f-88ad-d0d0d8bb6834","imageAlt":"Homemade Teriyaki Sauce — recipe cover","tags":["teriyaki","sauce","japanese","glaze","marinade","sweet and savory"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4},{"id":"recipe_99aecbe9a5","slug":"miso-tare","title":"Miso Tare","description":"A rich, savory, and versatile Japanese miso-based sauce perfect for dipping, glazing, or enhancing stir-fries.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","dairy_free","nut_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_99aecbe9a5%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=a365105d-a14c-4b5e-b32f-73b10fcdee31","imageAlt":"Miso Tare — recipe cover","tags":["miso","japanese","sauce","tare","umami","condiment","easy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":4}]}