Fine Chinese food for dinner
JAKARTA (JP): Chinese cookbook writer Mary Winata shares her recipes for asparagus soup, which is one of the most popular Chinese soups and Ma Po bean curd. The soup makes an appetizing starter before a heavier course, while the spicy Ma Po's bean curd is best served with warm rice.
Asparagus Soup
* 3 tbsp cooking oil * 2 tbsp soya sauce * 2 tbsp cooking wine or sherry * 250 g crab meat * 1 can of asparagus, shredded * A pinch of salt and pepper * 1/2 tsp sugar * 5 tbsp cornflour mix with 10 tbsp water * 3 whisked eggs * 1/2 tsp sesame oil * black vinegar
(Makes 10 servings)
1. In a cooking pot, heat the oil, add the soya sauce and cooking wine. Add chicken stock and cook until it simmers. Add the crab meat, asparagus, salt and sugar and cook for another three minutes. Drizzle in the cornflour mixture and stir until it thickens. 2. Gradually add in whisked eggs, mix well. Stir in pepper and sesame oil, mix well. Serve with a few drops of black vinegar.
Ma Po's Bean Curd
* 10 g preserved bamboo shoot, finely chopped * 2 tbsp cooking oil * 2 cloves of garlic, finely crushed * 2 shallots, finely chopped * 1/2 tsp ginger, finely minced * 100 g minced beef * 1 tbsp chili bean sauce * 1/2 tsp finely ground chili * A pinch of salt and white pepper to taste * 1/2 tsp sugar * 300 ml water * 2 pieces of bean curd, cubed * 1 tsp cornflour, mixed with 1 tbsp water * 1/2 tsp sesame oil * 1 tbsp shredded green onion
(Makes 6 servings)
1. Soak preserved bamboo shoot in water for 5 minutes. Drain. 2. In a cooking pan, heat the oil, add the garlic, shallots and ginger and stir until fragrant. Add in beef, stir until it changes color. Add in chili bean sauce, ground chili and season with salt, pepper, sugar, water. 3. Add bean curd, cook for three minutes. Put in bamboo shoot, stir for one minute. 4. Thicken with cornflour mixture. Stir in sesame oil and sprinkle with green onion.
--Recipes courtesy of Aneka Hidangan Tahu dan Telur and Aneka Sup Lezat dan Sehat by Mary Winata (PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama).