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Liangban fuzhu
Tofu skin and cucumber salad
Liángbàn fǔzhú (凉拌腐竹): rehydrated tofu-skin sticks with cucumber in a garlicky dressing
Fuzhu, the dried sticks made from the skin that forms on simmering soy milk, are a pantry staple in Guangxi and Sichuan and in Buddhist vegetarian kitchens across China. Soaked until soft and chewy, they are tossed in this cold dish with cucumber, carrot and wood ear in a dressing of garlic, vinegar and sesame oil, served in summer with rice or noodles. It is high in protein and very satisfying. A portion is about 170 kcal. Soak the fuzhu in cold water for 2–3 hours or overnight, not counted in the times. The common mistake is soaking in hot water, which leaves the outside mushy and the centre hard. Chef's tip: blanch the soaked sticks briefly; it cleans off the beany taste and makes them softer and juicier.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 3 ½ oz dried tofu skin sticks (fuzhu)soaked in cold water for 2–3 hours, until soft right through
- 1 cucumbercut into strips
- ½ carrotcut into thin strips
- ⅛ oz dried wood ear mushrooms (optional)soaked 15 minutes
- 3 garlic clovesminced
- 1 ½ tbsp Chinese black vinegar
- 1 ½ tbsp light soy sauce
- ½ tsp sugar
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp chilli oil (optional)
- 1 handful fresh corianderchopped
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Method
0/3 doneStep 1: Cut the soaked 3 ½ oz dried tofu skin sticks (fuzhu) on the diagonal into 4 cm pieces. Blanch with ½ carrot and ⅛ oz dried wood ear mushrooms in boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain and rinse under cold water. Squeeze the fuzhu gently.
3 minStep 2: Mix 3 garlic cloves, 1 ½ tbsp Chinese black vinegar, 1 ½ tbsp light soy sauce, ½ tsp sugar, 2 tsp toasted sesame oil and 1 tsp chilli oil in a large bowl.
Step 3: Add the fuzhu, carrot, wood ear and 1 cucumber and toss well. Scatter with 1 handful fresh coriander and serve cold.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 170 kcal
- Protein
- 12 g
- Carbs
- 7 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does liangban fuzhu take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 15 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 cucumber?
- Courgette, same weight (in salads, use young ones).
- What can I use instead of carrot?
- Parsnip or sweet potato, same weight.
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