December, month of excess! Occasionally, you need a break to detox – look! no meat! – so here's an easy recipe that makes a good healthy meal for two: tofu, choi sum, and rice. I'll assume you know how to cook rice (what? you don't?).
This is what it will look like...
The tofu will look like this.
I didn't get a photo of the choi sum, but it will look much like this (minus the chillies).
Tofu
- Firstly, get the sauce going: Oil and soya sauce as described in the tag. Put it on the lowest heat, and make sure it doesn't bubble.
- Cut tofu into slabs, and leave to sit on a plate for about 15 minutes, draining off excess water regularly.
- Put some vegetable oil in a frying pan, and bring to full heat.
- Slide the tofu slabs into the pan, and gently keep them moving to avoid them burning to the pan.
- When lightly browned, flip the slabs then lightly brown the other side.
- Place the cooked slabs in a bowl, and now we'll finish the sauce.
- The oil and soya sauce should be hot (not bubbling!) by now – simply add the chopped chilli and spring onion, swirl around, then pour the lot over the tofu.
Choi sum
- Cut the choi sum – stems and all – into pieces approximately 8cm long, wash them in a collander, and leave sitting in water.
- Finely chop garlic, and cut some ginger into shreds.
- Get your wok (of course you've got one), add a splash of vegetable oil, and turn the heat up to full power.
- When it's hot, add the garlic and ginger.
- Just before the garlic or ginger starts browning, tip the choi sum from the collander into the wok.
- Add a generous splash of soya sauce, cover the wok, and leave to cook for about a minute.
- Then add a few drops of pure sesame oil and stir.
- Check occasionally whether it's cooked to your liking (just take a piece out and try it...).
- Optionally, stir a teaspoon of cornstarch into 2-3 tablespoons of cold water, then stir the mixture in to the choi sum to thicken the sauce.
- Pour into a bowl, and serve.
Credits
Choi sum photo by FotoosVanRobin.
Recipe courtesy of Dad and a billion Chinese people.
Labels in this post: tofu, rice, garlic, oil, cooking, ginger, chilli, vegan, vegetarian, recipe, food, Ikea, Chinese
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Beryl
6 December 2010, 19:03
This is brilliant..... please can you send a take away? I want a Vietnamese raw beef recipe now........
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stephenhau
6 December 2010, 22:03
I should stick to dishes I've cooked. That means my next recipe post should be either my steamed sea bass, or the infamous Spam - any votes?
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Mrs T
7 December 2010, 08:03
yum! i always forget about this dish yet it is one of my favourites!
*adds to meal planning list*
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Beryl
7 December 2010, 20:16
There's only one answer. Spam Spam Spam Spam, Spam Spam Spam Spam.
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Robin
7 December 2010, 22:18
What a cute way to photograph your chili! I think I will copy that, I really love it.
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stephenhau
8 December 2010, 09:30
@Robin: "Copy"?! Creatives are "inspired by"! Yes, please copy, I mean, be inspired by it, and share your recipe here :)
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fritzthecat
12 December 2010, 22:37
I agree, top photo
And I'll nick the recipe too, thank you very much! -
Darren
16 March 2011, 15:13
Nice recipe book:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/8383195/Design-of-the
-Year-awards-2011.html?image=3 -
Anonymous
29 March 2011, 18:16
MM-MMM SPAMMM!!
9 comments