Chinese Mushroom Smothered Bean Curd Aka Tofu Recipes

Steps:

• Quarter your bean curd squares then cut into 2 triangles. Turn each on longest side and cut thru to make 3 thin triangles from each. Set aside.
• Cover mushrooms with 3/4 cup boiling water and soak 1 hour. Lightly squeeze to let liquid drain back into bowl [NOTE this is where you get the mushroom liquid. The soaking water not the rinse step] then rinse briefly and squeeze dry. Destem and cut cap into 1/2 inch wide slices. Place scallions, ginger, mushrooms and curd on work tray. Measure mushroom liquid if you are short 1/2 cup add some stock or water.
• Heat large heavy skillet over high until hot. add oil. Swirl. heat for 15 seconds. Lower heat to med and place scallions and ginger in and stir rapidly a few times. Add the sherry, soy, sugar and mushroom liquid. As it sizzles to boil add mushrooms and bean curd. Turn gently a few times. Adjust heat to maintain gentle simmer. Cover and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes. Turn contents half way thru.
• You should be minus the liquid or close to it at this point. Add the oil and turn once more. The serve.

Steps:

• Press the bean curd for 2 hours. Dry with towels and cut into 9 pieces. Use a very thin 5 to 6 inch bamboo or wooden skewer thread 4 small squares of curd onto each. Leave space between each.d Place in covered steamer pot in well aired room for 2 to 4 days. {Trust me you want it well aired.} It will develop a orangish yellow mold and have a slippery appearance and strong odor.
• Grind the crushed peppers, peppercorns and fennel. Add salt and mix well then pour into a dish. Carefully take a skewer and sprinkle seasoning mix over all of the fermented curd. Repeat until done.
• Put into a wide-mouth jar and pull out skewers carefully. Pour wine to cover and sprinkle salt mix on top. Cover in keep in refrigerator. IT will be ready to use in a week and will keep indefinitely.
• NOTE this is highly seasoned. Use small portions. If wine is too strong use salt dissolved in water. It may be made without the spices and just the salt.

Steps:

• Place 1 tablespoon of the chopped ginger in a medium-sized bowl, and reserve the remainder.
• Add the remaining marinade ingredients to the bowl (1 sliced spring onion, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 2 tablespoon of Chinese rice wine, 2 teaspoons cornstarch), and mix well.
• Add the ground beef or pork, give it another stir and set aside for approx 30 minutes.
• Place the tree ears or shiitake mushrooms in small bowl, pour over boiling water, and soak for about 15 minutes until they are soft and gelatinous.
• Drain the soaked tree ears, rinse, remove hard stems, and slice finely.
• Blanch the tofu in boiling water for 2- 3 minutes, then drain.
• Combine the garlic with the reserved ginger, and process together with a stick blender or spice grinder until they form the consistency of a thick paste.
• Heat a wok over a moderately high flame.
• Add the peanut oil, and just as it is starting to smoke, add the garlic/ginger paste and stir-fry, stirring continuously, for approximately 30 seconds.
• Next add the brown bean paste, Szechwan chile paste, water chestnuts and tree ears, and stir-fry for a further minute.
• Give the meat mixture a stir, add it to the wok, and continue to stir-fry over high heat for two to three minutes, until it loses its pinkish color.
• Toss in the tofu and the sliced green onions and continue to toss and fry for about 45 seconds.
• Finally, add the sugar and stir-fry for another 30 seconds.
• Pour in the soy sauce& water, bring to the boil, then reduce heat to moderate and cook for a couple of minutes.
• Add the Szechwan pepper corns and stir thoroughly.
• If there appears to be too much liquid in the wok contents, thicken with a little cornstarch and water.
• Add 1 teaspoon sesame oil and season to taste with salt.
• Serve with steamed rice, and garnish with cilantro.

Steps:

• Boil water and revive the mushrooms by putting them in a capped container with the hot water. When they're revived, cut them into small strips.
• Soften the bean thread noodles with some hot water.
• Use the remaining hot water to blanch the mung bean sprouts.
• Cut up the tofu into small (7mm square) cubes.
• Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl, except for the wrappers. Optionally add a beaten egg to make it stick together better.
• Make the dumplings: put a small quantity of this mixture in dumpling wrappers, and then pinch the sides together, sometimes a little cold water will help them stay stick together.
• Boil a pot of water and throw small batches of the dumplings into the water. They're ready when they float. Scoop them out with a slotted spoon or strainer and then make another batch. Excess dumplings can be frozen.