The Shanghai Style Vegetable Rice Food

STIR-FRIED RICE CAKES (NIAN GAO)

Steps:

• Marinate the julienned pork with the water, light soy sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, vegetable oil, and cornstarch. Allow to sit for 20-30 minutes, while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
• Rinse the rice cakes and drain. If using fresh or frozen rice cakes, you do not have to soak or thaw them. Only soak (according to package instructions) if using dried rice cakes.
• Thoroughly wash the baby bok choy (or napa cabbage). Drain, shaking off excess water. If using baby bok choy, separate into individual leaves. If using napa cabbage, cut the large leaves into smaller bite-sized pieces. Also prepare the garlic and scallions.
• If using mushrooms, slice them thinly. If using dried shiitake mushrooms, save the soaking liquid.
• Place your wok over high heat until it begins to smoke lightly. Add the vegetable oil to coat the wok, and add the pork and garlic. Cook until the pork turns opaque. If using mushrooms, add them now and stir-fry for 1 minute.
• Stir in the scallions, bok choy/cabbage, and Shaoxing wine. Stir-fry for 30 seconds, and move everything to the center of the wok to create an even "bed" of vegetables and meat. Distribute the rice cakes on top (this prevents them from sticking to the wok).
• Add water (or mushroom soaking water for extra flavor). Depending on how hot your stove gets, you can add 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup. Cover, and cook for 2 minutes to steam the rice cakes and cook the vegetables.
• Remove the cover, and add the sesame oil, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, white pepper, and sugar. Stir-fry everything together for 1 minute over medium heat. Taste, and season with additional salt if necessary. Continue stir-frying until the rice cakes are coated in sauce, cooked through but still chewy. Plate and serve!

THE SHANGHAI STYLE VEGETABLE RICE

Steps:

• 1. Cut the Pak Choi and bacon. Soak the dried small shrimp for about 10 minutes and leak dry. Add oil, garlic, bacon, and dried shrimp into the cast iron casserole and saute for about 2 minutes.
• 2. Add the Pak Choi into the casserole and cook until the stem is mildly soft. Season with salt.
• 3. Add the washed rice and stock into the casserole. Bring to boil with small heat and cover the lid for 15 minutes.
• 4. Uncover the lid after 15 minutes and check whether the stock is almost reduced. If it is, turn off the heat and cover the lid, using the temperature within the cast iron casserole to cook the rice.
• 5. Uncover when 20 minutes pass and it's ready to serve.
• P.S. You are welcome to visit our blog at http://flamboinc.blogspot.tw/ for a detailed photo-based recipe.

SHANGHAI-STYLE VEGETABLE NOODLES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the noodles until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
• Place a wok over high heat. When it begins to smoke, add the vegetable oil. When the oil begins to smoke, add the scallions, chives and peppers. Cook, stirring, for 20 seconds. Add the cabbage and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Then push the vegetables up a side of the wok.
• Quickly transfer the cooked noodles to the other side of the wok. Add the chicken stock, both soy sauces, sugar, white pepper and sesame oil. Place the squash atop the vegetables. Place the spinach atop the squash. Cover the wok and let the juices boil for about 2 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove the noodles to a serving platter. Stir the vegetables and juice together and bring to a boil, stirring. Remove from the heat, and season to taste. Pour the sauce and vegetables over the noodles and serve immediately.