November 23, 2013

Tofu with Shrimp 蝦仁豆腐

chinese, recipe, shrimp, tofu, stir fry, 蝦仁, 豆腐
By Published: 2013-11-23
Tofu with Shrimp, or 蝦仁豆腐,  is a braised chinese dish that looks deceptively simple but is gorgeous when you eat it.  A soothingly mix of textures: the crunch of the sweet shrimp, the silkiness of the tofu flavored with the sea tastes of the fresh shrimp, the succulently tasty creamy sauce that clings gently to all.  This dish is divine!  

I had forgotten about it for a long time and recently, suddenly, recalled it and made it for dinner.  Yum!  It was one of my childhood favorites at the dining table.  And now, guess what, it seems that my little girl loves this dish too!  She just kept asking for more...

chinese, recipe, shrimp, tofu, stir fry, 蝦仁, 豆腐

The great thing is that Tofu with Shrimp 蝦仁豆腐 is easy to make.  I just buy a pack of silken tofu,  usually looking for organic silken tofu since it is more and more available these days.  For more info on buying tofu see our Guide to Choosing Tofu.  

And I get a pack of frozen peeled shrimp.  The frozen shrimp that one can buy in Hong Kong are very good, they taste really fresh and are not too expensive and saves me the time of peeling the darn things.  I don't know about other places though, one would have to go for shrimp that will taste fresh otherwise the dish will not work.  Always in seafood, freshness must be the first consideration (as I have had drilled into my brain here in Hong Kong amongst the freshness fanatics otherwise known as the Cantonese).

Make sure you make plenty of rice along with Tofu with Shrimp.  It's a real rice killer!  You can add a bit of the luscious sauce to your kid's rice and mix it in.  Just see if that rice don't go down quick as a flash!  (Psst, a secret:  I still do that with my own rice!  Yummy!)
Tofu with Shrimp Recipe 蝦仁豆腐
(Prep time: 5 mins  Cook time: 6 mins)

Ingredients:


Directions:

Slice the tofu into 1/2" squares.  Put into a dish and cover with boiling water for 20 minutes at least.

Defrost shrimp by running under water for about 5 minutes.    Dry the shrimp as much as you can.

Heat your wok to high, add oil.  Slip in the slices of ginger and stir a few times to release aromatics.  Add the shrimp and stir fry until shrimp start turning pink and opaque.  Add the rice wine, soy sauce, salt and sugar. Stir.  Add the chicken stock and then turn the heat to medium low.  

Drain your tofu in colander and pour into the wok, making sure tofu and shrimp submerged in the stock.  Let shimmer for 3-4 minutes.  Add enough water to cornstarch to make mixture liquid when stirred and add to the wok, stirring gently until the sauce thickens.  Try not to break the tofu cubes.  Serve hot.

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4 comments:

  1. I am glad to have spotted your blog by chance and I love your recipies postings. I am a avid cook ( homecook meals are my fave ) and finally have found your blog that features authentic HK homecook meals. Keep up your good work!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Alexandra,

      Thanks for your kind words! Homecooked meals are my favorite too and it's worth all the effort when I can get organized enough to do it. - ellen

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    2. Will try one of your recipies this week. I usually cook for my whole family of 13 pax every weekend. Imagine the stress but it makes you happy when they throughly enjoyed their meals at the end of the day. I am from Malaysia, btw, and if you want to try out some recipies from me, I'll be very glad to share with you:)

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    3. Wow, 13 persons! What a feat to do every weekend! Good for you! - ellen

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