Braised Sea Cucumbers With Chinese Vegetables
Sea Cucumbers ("beche de mer" in French) with its gelatinous texture is a delicacy in Chinese cuisines. The Sea Cucumber is flavorless, however it has the ability to soak up the flavors of foods and seasonings it is cooked in. What… do you expect me to try this dish, Sea Cucumbers… which would be the reaction from many people (other than Asians) when seeing this sea creature. However, if you have an open mind in trying different foods, then give this recipe a go.
INGREDIENTS
Nutrition- 1
- 1⁄2tablespoon rice wine
- 1
- 4slices ginger
- 1tablespoon peanut oil
- 2cups water
- 3tablespoons peanut oil
- 6
- 6slices ginger
- 6Chinese black mushrooms, medium size (dry)
- 8
- 1teaspoon rice wine
- 3tablespoons soy sauce
- 1⁄2teaspoon sugar
- 3⁄4cup stock
- 1tablespoon cornstarch
- 1tablespoon water
- 1⁄2teaspoon sesame oil
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DIRECTIONS
- PREPARATION.
- Place the pre-soaked Sea Cucumbers under cold water, rinse well and make sure they are clean, cut the Sea Cucumbers lengthwise and then into medium bite size pieces, set aside (See “NOTES” below if buying dry Sea Cucumbers).
- Soak black mushrooms in warm water for about 15-30 minutes until soft, then cut away the stems, if the mushrooms are large cut in half, set aside.
- Cut the bamboo shoots into bite size pieces, set aside.
- In a small bowl “A” add the following: 1 tablespoon rice wine, 1 green onion, 4 slices of ginger, set aside.
- In a second small bowl “B” add the following: 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, ¾ cup stock, set aside.
- In a third small bowl “C” add the following: 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon water, set aside.
- COOK INSTRUCTIONS.
- Add 1 tablespoon oil in a wok/pan until hot, add the contents in bowl “A” and stir-fry until it starts to release its fragrance.
- Add the 2 cups of water and bring to a boil, next add the Sea Cucumbers and cook for 2 minutes, then drain, set aside.
- Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a wok/pan until hot, add the 4 spring onions , 6 slices ginger and stir-fry until it starts to release its fragrance.
- Add the Sea Cucumbers, 1 teaspoon rice wine, black mushrooms, bamboo shoots and contents in bowl “B.”.
- Simmer for about 10 minutes under low heat and/or until the liquid is reduced to about half.
- Stir contents of bowl “C” and add to wok/pan to thicken.
- Add sesame oil and toss gently.
- Serve with white rice and perhaps another green vegetable of your choice, on the side.
- NOTES:
- Store the Pre-soaked Sea Cucumbers in cold water and in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- If using dry Sea Cucumbers, you need to prepare it properly (re-constitute them), which can take several days See this URL - http://tinyurl.com/45zody .
- Read this interesting URL about Sea Cucumbers- http://tinyurl.com/4n5kvra .
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