Cold Tossed Little Bitter Lettuce

Remove the roots of the bitter lettuce and wash thoroughly. If it's too long, break it into two pieces.

Add a tablespoon of soy sauce, half a tablespoon of sugar, a tablespoon of vinegar, a pinch of MSG or chicken essence, salt to taste, and a drop of sesame oil. Mix well, adjusting according to personal taste and the amount of lettuce.

Crush and chop the garlic, then sprinkle it over the mixed bitter lettuce.

Prepare the flavored oil: In a pan, heat oil and add star anise, Sichuan peppercorns, and dried red chili peppers. Set to low heat and slowly fry until fragrant and slightly smoking, taking care not to burn the chilies. Use a small spoon to drizzle the hot oil over the garlic on the bitter lettuce to create a sizzling sound and release a rich garlic aroma.

No need to wash the pan; we can fry some peanuts and sprinkle them over the bitter lettuce. Add a sprinkle of white sesame seeds, and it's done! Just mix it all together when you're ready to eat.