**Tender Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan): A Culinary Journey Through Flavor and Health**
Embark on a delightful culinary adventure with our comprehensive guide to cooking tender Chinese broccoli, also known as gai lan. Discover the secrets to unlocking the vibrant flavors and health benefits of this versatile vegetable through a collection of carefully curated recipes. From the classic stir-fry to innovative salads and hearty soups, our recipes cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook seeking inspiration, this article will equip you with the knowledge and techniques to transform humble gai lan into a culinary masterpiece. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and nourish your body with the goodness of this superfood.
### Recipes Included:
**1. Classic Stir-Fried Chinese Broccoli:** Experience the essence of gai lan with this traditional stir-fry recipe. Simple yet bursting with flavor, this dish combines tender broccoli florets, aromatic garlic, and a savory sauce.
**2. Gai Lan with Oyster Sauce:** Elevate your stir-fry game with the addition of rich and flavorful oyster sauce. This recipe strikes a perfect balance between salty, sweet, and savory, making it a crowd-pleasing favorite.
**3. Gai Lan Salad with Sesame Dressing:** Transform gai lan into a refreshing and healthy salad. Crisp broccoli florets are tossed in a zesty sesame dressing, creating a light and vibrant dish that's perfect for a summer lunch or as a side dish.
**4. Chinese Broccoli Soup:** Embrace the comfort of a warm and nourishing gai lan soup. This recipe showcases the vegetable's natural sweetness, complemented by a savory broth and tender chicken or tofu. Perfect for a cozy meal on a chilly day.
**5. Gai Lan with Garlic and Ginger:** Simplicity meets flavor in this quick and easy recipe. Tender gai lan is stir-fried with aromatic garlic and ginger, resulting in a dish that's both flavorful and healthy.
**6. Chinese Broccoli with Shrimp:** Combine the goodness of gai lan with succulent shrimp in this vibrant stir-fry. The briny sweetness of the shrimp pairs perfectly with the broccoli's earthy notes, creating a harmonious and satisfying dish.
CHINESE BROCCOLI RECIPE
How to make perfect Chinese broccoli aka gai lan two ways
Provided by Stephanie
Categories Side Dish
Time 10m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken stock (or water or vegetable sauce), soy sauce, corn starch, Shaoxing wine, and toasted sesame oil. Set aside.
- In a wok or large pan, heat up the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, until soft but not brown.
- Turn the heat up to medium high and add the gai lan to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the gai lan is bright green and tender-crisp, about 2-4 minutes depending on size.
- Add the prepared sauce to the pan and let it come to a simmer and reduce slightly.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. While the water is coming to a boil, make the sauce: In a small pot, heat up half of the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, until soft but not brown. Stir in oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, and toasted sesame oil. Remove from the heat and set it aside.
- Add the remaining oil to the boiling water as well as a pinch of salt. Add the gai lan and cook, until bright green and tender-crisp, about 2-4 minutes, depending on size. Drain well.
- Serve the gai lan with the oyster sauce drizzled on top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 160 kcal, Carbohydrate 10.7 g, Protein 3.8 g, Fat 10.4 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Cholesterol 0.01 mg, Sodium 358 mg, Fiber 5.2 g, Sugar 2.9 g, ServingSize 1 serving
TENDER CHINESE BROCCOLI (GAI LAN)
My favorite veggie is "gai lan," also known as "Chinese broccoli" or "Chinese kale." It is easily found in Asian groceries these days, and I love the stuff! It doesn't taste like North American broccoli, no sir... I haven't been able to pin down exactly what other veggie it tastes like, but I do believe it resembles tender, tasty artichoke heart. Give it a try! The recipe below is how I make it, although you can also steam it.
Provided by Julesong
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 25m
Yield 3-4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Trim the gai lan- don't cut off the long, thick stem because, unlike North American broccoli, the stem of gai lan will cook well to become nice and tender; the flowers are also edible so don't remove them.
- Place gai lan in a Dutch oven and fill with plenty of water.
- Add the chopped garlic.
- Bring water to a boil, lower heat, and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the thickest part of the stem is tender.
- Combine the soy, brown sugar, fish sauce, and sesame oil.
- Drain the gai lan and place on serving plate, then drizzle the soy mixture over.
- Serve and enjoy!
- Gai lan is also good with oyster sauce.
DIM SUM STYLE GAI-LAN (CHINESE BROCCOLI)
This tastes just like the Gai-Lan that my DBF and I get when we go to Dim Sum on Sundays. It is really easy to make at home. It is similar to regular broccoli but it is slightly milder and has broad flat leaves instead of florets. If you can't find Gai Lan, you can substitute broccolini. The baking soda helps the broccoli retain its green color while cooking.
Provided by cookiedog
Categories Vegetable
Time 15m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Gai Lan: Rinse gai lan and trim the end of the stems. Bring eight cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan or stock pot. Stir in salt, baking soda, garlic and ginger. Add gai-lan. Cover and simmer about 4 minutes, until the gai lan turns bright green and is tender-crisp. Drain and serve drizzled with the oyster sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds.
- Sauce: Mix oyster sauce with water or broth, mirin and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil to melt the sugar. Remove from heat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 35.5, Fat 1.2, SaturatedFat 0.2, Sodium 1870.1, Carbohydrate 5.7, Fiber 0.4, Sugar 3.2, Protein 0.7
Tips:
- Choose firm, deep green Chinese broccoli with tightly closed florets.
- Wash the Chinese broccoli thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.
- Cut the Chinese broccoli into bite-sized pieces.
- Blanch the Chinese broccoli in boiling water for 1-2 minutes to help retain its color and crispness.
- Use a large wok or skillet to stir-fry the Chinese broccoli to ensure even cooking.
- Add aromatics such as garlic, ginger, and shallots to enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Use a high-quality oyster sauce to add a rich and savory flavor to the dish.
- Stir-fry the Chinese broccoli until it is tender but still slightly crisp.
- Serve the Chinese broccoli immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Conclusion:
Chinese broccoli is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes. Stir-fried Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce is a classic Chinese dish that is easy to make and packed with flavor. With its tender-crisp texture and savory sauce, this dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, give this recipe a try!
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