Wenzheng Mountain Bamboo Shoots
Here’s a winter-exclusive dish to share! It’s the perfect season for winter bamboo shoots to grow. Bring some home, cook them up, and preserve the most original flavor—simple yet unforgettable.
What is Wenzheng Mountain Bamboo Shoots?
Wenzheng Mountain Bamboo Shoots is actually a very typical Hui cuisine soup, with a light taste yet full of fragrance.
It is mainly made with winter bamboo shoots and ham. The freshness of the bamboo shoots and the salty aroma of the ham blend together, making the soup very refreshing.
Hui cuisine likes to use simple ingredients and bring out the flavor to the extreme, so this soup is especially suitable for friends who like light flavors. Adding some chopped green onions to enhance the fragrance makes the entire dish very pleasant.
Where can you buy winter bamboo shoots?
Asian markets and specialty food stores: These places usually sell fresh or canned winter bamboo shoots in the produce section or canned goods section.
Online retailers:If you can't find fresh winter bamboo shoots, frozen ones are a good alternative, as they closely match the taste and texture of fresh ones. You can also try checking online Asian grocery stores like Weee! or Yamibuy, where you might be able to find them for sale.
INGREDIENTS
Main Ingredients
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·800g winter bamboo shoots
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·80g ham
Additional Ingredients
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·10g green onions
Seasonings
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·6g salt
COOKING STEP
Step 1
Cut 800g of winter bamboo shoots into thin slices.
Step 2
Cut 80g of ham into thin slices and chop 10g of green onions into onion pieces.
Step 3
Pour a small amount of water into a pot. Once the water boils, add the winter bamboo shoots and cook for 2 minutes, then remove and set aside.
Step 4
Add 1 liter of water into the pot, then add the winter bamboo shoots and ham. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil over high heat.
Step 5
Turn to low heat and cook for 60 minutes, then add 6g of salt for seasoning.
Step 6
Pour the soup into a bowl and sprinkle with green onion pieces, then it’s ready to enjoy.
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What does winter bamboo shoot taste like?
Winter bamboo shoots have a refreshing taste with a bit of natural sweetness. They are especially crunchy and tender, with great elasticity when you bite into them.
After being cooked, the flavor becomes a bit softer but still retains that fresh texture. When added to soups or stir-fries, they bring a refreshing feeling without overpowering the other flavors.
Cooking Tips
Blanching: Blanch the winter bamboo shoots first to remove the bitterness and keep them crunchy. It’s better to rinse them with cold water afterward.
Controlling heat: Don’t cook over too high a heat. Cook them slowly to keep the texture crunchy and avoid them becoming too soft.
Adding salt: It’s best to add the salt at the end, when the cooking is almost done. This way, it enhances the flavor without affecting the bamboo shoot's texture.
Recipe Variations
Vegetable combinations
Adding some shiitake mushrooms, bamboo fungus, or carrots can make the soup richer and give it more bite.
Spinach, bok choy, or pickled mustard greens also pair well with the winter bamboo shoots, enhancing the fresh taste.
Main ingredient substitutions
If you don't like ham, you can swap it for Chinese sausage, dried scallops, or chicken. The flavor will be different, but still great.
You can also add shiitake mushrooms or enoki mushrooms to give the soup a more layered texture.
Seasoning adjustments
If you want more fragrance, add some star anise or bay leaves while simmering to create a strong aroma.
For a bolder flavor, you can add some oyster sauce or dark soy sauce, which will deepen the taste.
Texture variations
If you want a thicker soup, you can add some cornstarch, or try adding rice wine to make the flavor richer.
Finally, sprinkle some green onions or cilantro on top. Not only will it enhance the flavor, but it will also make the soup look more appetizing.
FAQs:
If you’re using them for soups or stews, it’s recommended to blanch them in advance to keep their fresh, tender texture.
If using chicken breast or pork, you can slice them thinly for a nice texture. For beef, it’s best to choose a thinly sliced cut to make it easier to absorb the flavors when cooked.
If you prefer a crunchier texture, you can shorten the cooking time by about 10 minutes.
You can also add some spices, like star anise, ginger slices, or goji berries, to enhance the layers of flavor.
REVIEWS
