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Liangban bocai
Cold dressed spinach
Liangban bocai (凉拌菠菜): cold spinach dressed with garlic, black vinegar and sesame oil, with peanuts
Liangban bocai is one of the cold dishes that open a family meal or a restaurant banquet all over China, from Beijing homes to Sichuan noodle shops, and it is made year round but especially in spring when spinach is sweet. The spinach is blanched briefly, squeezed, and dressed with raw garlic, black vinegar, soy and toasted sesame oil, then scattered with crunchy peanuts; it is garlicky, tangy and fresh. A portion gives about 6 g of protein from the spinach and peanuts, so it is a side, good with rice and a tofu dish. The most common mistake is not squeezing the spinach dry, which drowns the dressing; press it firmly in your hands. Chef's tip: pour a spoonful of smoking-hot oil over the garlic before mixing the dressing; it takes the raw edge off and makes the whole dish smell wonderful.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 ⅛ lb spinachwashed, roots trimmed
- 1 ⅜ oz roasted peanutslightly crushed
- 1 tsp saltfor the blanching water
For the dressing
- 3 cloves garlicfinely chopped
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp Chinese black vinegar
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp chilli oil (optional)optional
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Method
0/4 doneStep 2: Drain and rinse under cold water until cool, then squeeze firmly in handfuls until no more water drips out. Cut into 4 cm lengths and loosen the clumps.
Step 3: Put 3 cloves garlic in a heatproof bowl. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil until it just starts to smoke and pour it over; it should sizzle. Stir in 2 tbsp Chinese black vinegar, 1 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, 2 tsp toasted sesame oil and 1 tsp chilli oil.
Step 4: Toss the spinach with the dressing, pile it up on a plate and scatter 1 ⅜ oz roasted peanuts on top just before serving so they stay crunchy.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 120 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 7 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does liangban bocai take?
- About 15 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 5 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
- What can I use instead of chinese black vinegar?
- Lemon juice, same amount.
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