🍄🥬 Braised Chinese Cabbage with Mushrooms - A must-try, healthy Hong Kong-style vegetarian dish

Editor's Preface

Braised broccoli with shiitake mushrooms is a classic at both Hong Kong vegetarian banquets and everyday meals. Its thickened sauce, vibrant green broccoli, and rich broccoli flavor represent a classic vegetarian dish. While chicken burgers and preserved vegetables may not always be a staple, braised broccoli with broccoli is versatile, healthy, and a favorite with the elderly! Here's a complete guide, from soaking the mushrooms to braising the sauce, perfect for both vegetarians and meats.

Ingredients preparation

• 6-8 shiitake mushrooms (dried ones are recommended for a stronger flavor)

• 1 bunch of choy sum (about 300g)

• 2 slices of ginger

• 2 cloves of garlic

• 1/2 teaspoon sugar

• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (use vegetarian oyster sauce)

• A few drops of dark soy sauce (for coloring, optional)

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil/peanut oil

• 1.5 teaspoons cornstarch (use boiling water as thickening)

• 200ml water (use mushroom water for a more fragrant taste)

• salt to taste

• A little sesame oil and pepper

• Scallions or red bell pepper for garnish

Detailed steps

🥣 1. Soak the shimeji mushrooms until softened

• Soak dried shiitake mushrooms in warm water for 3-4 hours (hot water can be used in a hurry but the aroma will be less pronounced). Once they are softened, remove the hard ends.

• Skim off any impurities from the mushroom soaking water and keep half of it for the sauce (the essence!).

🥬 2. Braised Chinese Cabbage with Green Water

• Cut the choy sum into sections, boil water in a large pot, add half a spoonful of salt and a few drops of oil.

• When the water boils, remove the choy sum stems and cook for 40 seconds. Then add the choy sum leaves and blanch for 15-20 seconds. Remove all the leaves and rinse with cold water to drain.

• Editor's tip: Keep the green color in the oil and salt water, and eat it immediately after cold river for a particularly crisp and sweet taste.

🧄 3. Sauté the mushrooms

• Heat oil in a pan and sauté ginger slices and minced garlic.

• Stir-fry the shiitake mushrooms for 1 minute, add light soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, a small amount of dark soy sauce, and 200ml of mushroom water or water. Simmer on low heat for 3-5 minutes to allow the shiitake mushrooms to absorb the flavor and color.

🍛 4. Thicken the sauce

• Add cornstarch and water to make a thick sauce. Pour a little into the pot and cook until the sauce is thick enough to cover the mushrooms.

• Finally, sprinkle sesame oil and a little chili pepper to enhance the flavor (optional).

🥢 5. Serve the dish

• The dish is topped with Chinese cabbage, and the noodles are covered with shiitake mushrooms and starch sauce. It is ready to eat when served. It is a symbol of vegetarianism and auspiciousness in red and green.

• You can add shredded green onion or red pepper to enhance the color.

Editor's Tips

• Don't throw away the essence of the mushroom soaking water. It is a must-have for vegetarian pots and stews, and it adds a rich vegetarian flavor.

• The choy sum must be blanched separately from the stems and leaves, otherwise it will be tough or too tender.

• Stir-fry the ginger and garlic over low heat; don't over-fry them, or it will be very tiring.

• You can add shredded scallops, water chestnut slices, etc. to enhance the taste.

• It goes well with rice or noodles, and is suitable for both vegetarians and meat lovers.

Eating experience 😋

Each piece of shimeji mushroom is tender and juicy, and the savory sauce wraps around the refreshing vegetable heart. It is a perfect match with rice, vegetarian food or meat! It is a great meal for both the elderly and children.

summary

Braised Chinese choy sum with shiitake mushrooms is nutritious, quick, and healthy, making it a favorite for both mushroom lovers and vegetarians. I didn't want to go too heavy on the main tonight, so I decided to go with the vegetarian braised Chinese choy sum, which is refreshing and satisfying! 🍄🥬🍲