Stir-fried Lotus Root With Julienned Cuttlefish 炒莲藕

Stir-fried Lotus Root With Julienned Cuttlefish 炒莲藕

Recipe source :  Adapted from Amy Beh

We love to order stir-fried lotus root when we eat out at a particular "tai-pai tong". That's because this dish is that particular outlet's specialty. 

Amy Beh's version is slightly different as this recipe uses nam-yee, a fermented red bean curd with a distinct flavour, whereas the "tai-pai tong's flavour was very light.

Both are lip-smacking good!

Ingredients

15g dried cuttlefish shreds
100g lotus root, cut into thin slices (use local lotus roots which are smaller in size and more succulent, whereas the China variety which is larger is not suitable for stir-frying)
75g snow peas
80g gingko nuts ( original recipe used carrot slices )
5g dried snow fungus, soaked until soft and shredded into small pieces  ( my own addition )
3 tbsp cooking oil
1 tsp chopped garlic

Sauce Ingredients

1 tbsp abalone sauce
1/2 cube nam yee, mashed with 1 tsp shao hsing wine
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tbsp water

Method

1.  Bring a pot of water with 1/2 tsp salt, sugar and a pinch of bicarbonate of soda and 1 tsp oil to a boil. Put in snow peas. Boil 30 seconds. Remove and immerse in cold water for 3 to 4 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2.  Blanch lotus roots separately in another pot of boiling water with 1/2 tsp vinegar added to it for 1 minute. Remove and immerse in cold water for 4 to 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3.  Heat oil in a wok and lightly brown cuttlefish shreds until crispy. Drain and set aside.
4.  Remove oil, leaving 1 tbsp oil in wok. Saute chopped garlic until slightly brown. Add in blanched vegetables, gingko nuts and snow fungus. Stir-fry for 1 minute, then add in sauce ingredients.
5.  Return the pre-fried cuttlefish shreds to the wok. Toss briefly until sauce is well combined.
6.  Dish out and serve immediately.