Braised Sea Cucumbers with Savory Asian Greens
Delve into the unique and exquisite experience of Braised Sea Cucumbers, a delicacy revered in Chinese cuisine. Often known as 'beche de mer', these gelatinous treasures have an ability to absorb bold flavors from the surrounding ingredients, enhancing their appeal. This dish features tender sea cucumbers, succulent black mushrooms, and crunchy bamboo shoots, all simmered to perfection with aromatic ginger and spring onions. Serve this umami-rich dish over fluffy white rice, paired with a side of vibrant green vegetables for a balanced meal that's sure to impress even the most skeptical of diners. Keep an open mind and taste the sublime flavors that reflect the heart of Asian culinary culture.
2
Servings
250
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
pre-soaked sea cucumber
1 lb (cleaned, sliced lengthwise and cut into medium bite-sized pieces)
rice wine
1/2 tablespoon (for marinating)
green onion
7 (1 cut in half for marinating, 6 cut diagonally (1 inch in size))
ginger
10 slices (4 for marinating, 6 for stir-frying)
peanut oil
4 tablespoons (1 for marinating, 3 for stir-frying)
water
2 cups (for boiling, plus 1 tablespoon for thickening)
black mushrooms
6 (soaked until soft, stems removed)
bamboo shoots
8 ounces (halves & chunks, diced into bite-sized pieces)
soy sauce
3 tablespoons (for seasoning)
sugar
1/2 teaspoon (for seasoning)
stock
3/4 cup (for seasoning)
cornstarch
1 tablespoon (for thickening)
sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon (for flavoring)
Instructions
1
Preparation:
2
1. Rinse the pre-soaked sea cucumbers under cold water to remove any residue. Slice them lengthwise and then cut them into medium bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
3
2. Soak the dried black mushrooms in warm water for about 15-30 minutes until they are soft. Remove the stems, and if the mushrooms are large, cut them in half. Set aside.
4
3. Dice the bamboo shoots into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
5
4. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of rice wine, 1 green onion (cut in half), and 4 slices of ginger. This is Bowl 'A'.
6
5. In another bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, and 3/4 cup of stock. This is Bowl 'B'.
7
6. In a third bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. This is Bowl 'C'.
8
Cooking Instructions:
9
7. Heat 1 tablespoon of peanut oil in a wok over medium heat. Once hot, add the contents of Bowl 'A' and stir-fry until fragrant.
10
8. Pour in 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Add the sea cucumbers and cook for 2 minutes. Drain the cucumbers and set them aside.
11
9. In the same wok, heat 3 tablespoons of peanut oil. Add 6 diagonally cut spring onions and 6 slices of ginger, stir-frying until aromatic.
12
10. Add the drained sea cucumbers, 1 teaspoon of rice wine, black mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and the mixture from Bowl 'B' to the wok.
13
11. Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes or until the liquid reduces by half.
14
12. Stir the contents of Bowl 'C' to combine, then gradually add it to the wok to thicken the sauce.
15
13. Drizzle in the sesame oil and gently toss all ingredients to ensure they are well coated.
16
14. Serve the braised sea cucumbers hot, accompanied by white rice and your choice of green vegetables on the side.
Nutrition Information
7.5g
Fat
20g
Carbs
22.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Braised Sea Cucumbers with Savory Asian Greens?
It is a revered Chinese delicacy featuring gelatinous sea cucumbers, black mushrooms, and bamboo shoots simmered in a savory sauce with ginger and spring onions.
What is another name for sea cucumbers used in this dish?
Sea cucumbers are often known as 'beche de mer' in various culinary contexts.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to yield 2 servings.
How many calories are in a serving of this dish?
There are approximately 250 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of Braised Sea Cucumbers?
Each serving provides 22.5g of protein.
How much fat is in this recipe per serving?
The dish contains 7.5g of fat per serving.
What are the carbohydrate levels for this recipe?
There are 20g of carbohydrates in each serving.
How many total ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 13 primary ingredients listed for this dish.
How do you prepare the pre-soaked sea cucumbers?
Rinse them under cold water, slice them lengthwise, and then cut them into medium bite-sized pieces.
How long should the dried black mushrooms be soaked?
The dried black mushrooms should be soaked in warm water for about 15-30 minutes until they are soft.
What should I do with the mushroom stems?
The stems should be removed after the mushrooms have softened.
What is the composition of 'Bowl A' in the instructions?
Bowl A contains 1 tablespoon of rice wine, 1 green onion cut in half, and 4 slices of ginger.
What is the composition of 'Bowl B' for seasoning?
Bowl B consists of 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, and 3/4 cup of stock.
How is the thickening agent, 'Bowl C', prepared?
Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water.
What type of oil is recommended for stir-frying this dish?
Peanut oil is recommended for both the marinating and stir-frying stages.
How long do the sea cucumbers need to be boiled during the cooking process?
They should be boiled in water with the aromatic contents of Bowl A for 2 minutes before being drained.
How many spring onions are used in the main stir-fry?
The main stir-fry uses 6 diagonally cut spring onions.
How long should the dish simmer after adding the seasonings?
It should simmer for about 10 minutes or until the liquid has reduced by half.
When should the cornstarch mixture be added?
Gradually add the cornstarch mixture (Bowl C) after the simmering stage to thicken the sauce.
What is the final seasoning added before serving?
The final step involves drizzling in sesame oil and gently tossing the ingredients.
What are the recommended side dishes for this recipe?
It is best served over fluffy white rice with a side of vibrant green vegetables.
Is this dish considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy and features nutritious ingredients like sea cucumber and various vegetables.
What is the texture of sea cucumbers?
Sea cucumbers have a unique gelatinous texture that excels at absorbing bold flavors from sauces.
How much bamboo shoots are needed?
You will need 8 ounces of bamboo shoots, diced into bite-sized pieces.
What type of stock should I use?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of stock, though the specific type (chicken, vegetable, or seafood) can be chosen based on preference.
What is the total amount of ginger required?
The recipe requires 10 slices of ginger: 4 for marinating and 6 for the main stir-fry.
Is this a traditional stir-fry or a braised dish?
While it involves stir-frying aromatics, the primary cooking method is braising, as indicated by the 10-minute simmering step.
What flavor profile can be expected from this dish?
Expect a rich, umami flavor profile enhanced by soy sauce, ginger, and mushrooms.
Is rice wine essential to the recipe?
Yes, rice wine is used in both the initial aromatic prep (Bowl A) and during the main cooking stage to add depth of flavor.
What tags define this recipe?
Key tags include sea cucumber, braised dish, chinese cuisine, umami flavors, stir-fry, and exotic ingredients.