Slice gently back and forth almost to (but not through) outside edges to form a pocket. Split tofu block in half horizontally. Chicken was threaded on skewers and ready for a hot oil bath, pot stickers were already golden and needed only to be steamed, lotus root was marinating for “jewel of happiness,” and firecracker shrimp had been preassembled. As I got older though, the thought of throwing a dinner party became intimidating. Leeann called firecracker shrimp a “new tradition.” With their carrot-strip wicks and spring roll wraps, the shrimp resemble the firecrackers so popular during the New Year’s celebration. Info. https://ghettofabgourmet.blogspot.com/2014/02/shrimp-stuffed-tofu.html 1 ½ cups sliced shiitake mushroom caps (about 2 ounces), ½ teaspoon sambal oelek (ground fresh chile paste) or chile paste with garlic, 4 ounces peeled and deveined medium shrimp, 1 (14-ounce) block water-packed extrafirm tofu, drained. So for the dinner banquet she made beautiful, glazed Cornish game hens, subtly perfumed with star anise and ginger. (And these were just the appetizers.). This dish is referred to as “Pile of Gold” and is often served for Chinese New Year banquets. She resolved to teach her daughter how to cook the Chinese dishes she grew up with. As guests savored a dessert of cool creamy mango pudding with miniature coconut walnut cookies, Katie appeared with a huge red platter. “I have to give them to anyone younger than me,” said Leeann. Once all the filling is in place, pour the remaining cornstarch into a sieve, and carefully sift the rest … In the center were chocolates and marzipan fruit. Chicken is far more traditional. Place all stuffed tofu on a plate. You needn't worry if you split the tofu slices at their sides when preparing the packets; you can still stuff them, and the filling will firm up in the steamer. One guest planned to buy a lottery ticket with his. Appetizers, Hard (4/5) phasechangeskitchen June 06, 2020 Chinese Cuisine, Dim Sum, Tofu, Shrimp, Shellfish, Fried. “It’s really fishy. It all started during one of Leeann’s regular visits. “You don’t say bad things or bad words,” said Leeann. Her friends, mostly 30-something industry execs, have been the beneficiaries. But Leeann is generally disappointed with the flavor of chickens bred today. But with a writer and photographer present, Leeann was playing innocent. Kitchenesia.com - Just like its sister bakwan, stuffed tofu with shrimp was brought by Chinese diaspora centuries ago. Bring the chicken broth and oyster sauce to a boil in a small saucepan and add the cornstarch mixture. It was eye-opening to see her take direction and be gracious, says one co-worker: “It’s not her M.O. But this new Katie, armed with a chef’s knife instead of a cell phone, didn’t exactly jibe with her friends’ image of a high-powered entertainment executive. Stir until thickened, about 1 minute, then remove from the heat. Crispy Shrimp-Stuffed Tofu. Leeann was already at work on her third cookbook (she did two others on Chinese cooking for Betty Crocker). Create a satisfying light dinner by pairing this aromatic entrée with sautéed bok choy or a salad of radishes, celery, and carrots. Put a little less than a teaspoon of the mixture in each square of tofu. Over the past year or so, though, Katie has had a crash course in the art of the dinner party. Everybody understands the stuggle of getting dinner on the table after a long day. “That’s illegal!”. Fry until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. To begin with, firecracker shrimp, chicken skewers . . Add 1 piece of tofu at a time to prevent them from sticking together. Cut each half in half diagonally to form 4 triangles. Now they were digging into whole crispy fish with ginger-green onion sauce, a symbol, said Leeann, of a whole life: “A whole fish means you always have extra--extra money, extra everything.”. We recommend frying 1 to 2 pieces at a time to maintain high heat. “I told all my friends to expect to have their shorts eaten by my mother,” said Katie. Much of the banquet’s meaning was lost on the guests, who were also unaware of the Chinese custom of keeping conversation upbeat on the New Year. Steamed tofu stuffed/topped with shrimp is a healthy dish that is very easy to make. Deep-fry 1 to 2 pieces at a time. He took some left-overs to work for lunch and said it was still amazing. Make a pocket in each tofu triangle by inserting the tip of a small knife into the center of the longest edge. Cut each half in half diagonally to form 4 triangles. Leave the shrimp in the salt water for 5 minutes, then rinse with cold water and drain. We’re like ‘Aghhh!”’. Place first 9 ingredients in a food processor; process until smooth, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. “She would hand me a recipe and say, ‘Go do this. Whether you're cooking for yourself or for a family, these easy dinners are sure to leave everyone satisfied and stress-free. Scoop tofu from the center of each square so there’s a hole in the middle, and reserve the scooped-out tofu. That was where much of the evening’s meal, in its raw form, was sitting. “She was the mastermind behind the recipes,” Katie says of her mother. Place the water in a bowl and add 2 teaspoons of the salt; stir to dissolve. Place steamer in pan; steam 15 minutes or until filling is set. . “It was going to be a little fancier cooking,” she says. and then bam! Drain on paper towels when done. MyRecipes may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. And so, each of the guests received an envelope containing a dollar bill. Pour the Gravy over the tofu and garnish with the green onion. “Whoever wanted to would come over.”, It was during these Sundays that the idea for a cookbook was born. Make a pocket in each tofu triangle by inserting the tip of a small knife into the center of the longest edge. Using a sharp knife or food processor, mash the shrimp to a paste. At least the group had eaten some lotus root, a symbol of happiness. “The guy who hit us says, ‘Are you absolutely sure you need the contents of the trunk?’ ” Katie’s unequivocal answer: “Ye-e-es!”. Tofu contains a lot of water, and spattering can occur. Alternatively, you could top your tofu with marinated minced pork (with mushrooms and/or red chili peppers, etc.).