chinese bamboo shoots(Braised Spring Bamboo Shoots )

Bamboo shoots are a common vegetable in southern China, especially during the spring when everything is rejuvenating. They are a must-try delicacy. Braised Spring Bamboo Shoots is a well-known dish, famous in Zhejiang cuisine. It boasts vibrant colors and delicious savory flavors.

6 Reviews
6 Comments
POSTED:20/06/2024
Level:Medium
Yield:2-3 servings
Total:20 min
(includes chilling time)
Active:5 min

Braised Spring Bamboo Shoots is primarily made by stir-frying with oil and simmering bamboo shoots with seasonings over low heat, creating a delicious dish that is greatly loved by many. If you're curious about why it's so popular, let's dive in and find out.


1.Braised Spring Bamboo Shoots:

Braised Spring Bamboo Shoots is a popular Chinese dish, made primarily from bamboo shoots. The bamboo shoots are prepared by removing the tough roots and outer layers, cutting them into inch-long segments, and blanching them in boiling water with salt for 2 minutes to reduce excess calcium oxalate. After draining off excess water, heat oil in a separate pan until hot. Add ginger slices and stir-fry until fragrant, then add the bamboo shoot segments and stir-fry until lightly charred on the surface. Next, add rock sugar, dark soy sauce, and light soy sauce, stirring well to coat evenly. Pour in half a bowl of water, cover with a lid, and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Remove the lid, increase the heat, and stir-fry until the sauce thickens and coats the bamboo shoots. The key to making delicious Braised Spring Bamboo Shoots lies in adjusting the details according to personal taste preferences.


2.When to harvest bamboo shoots:

Bamboo shoots are typically harvested during the spring season. The exact timing varies depending on the region and the specific variety of bamboo.


3.Removing the bitter taste from bamboo shoots:

①Peel to remove bitterness: Peel the bamboo shoots, making sure to remove the slightly thicker layer at the bottom which tends to be more bitter. When peeling, try to remove as much of the bitter skin from the bamboo shoots as possible.

②To remove bitterness by blanching:Blanch the sliced or chopped bamboo shoots in boiling water for one to two minutes. Then, remove them and rinse them thoroughly with cold water. This process helps to eliminate bitterness and impurities. Repeat this blanching and rinsing process one to two more times as needed.

③Adding vinegar to remove bitterness: Adding a small amount of vinegar during blanching can help more effectively eliminate bitterness.

④Salt water soaking: Soak the sliced or cut bamboo shoots in salt water (typically using a ratio of 30 grams of salt per 1 liter of water) for about 30 minutes to help reduce bitterness.

⑤Cutting finely and evenly: Cutting bamboo shoots into small and uniform slices or shreds helps to heat them more evenly and remove bitterness effectively.


4.How to prepare fresh bamboo shoots:

The steps for preparing fresh bamboo shoots mainly include peeling, cutting, blanching, cooling, and storing.

①Peeling: First, remove the outer hard shell of the bamboo shoots. You can use a knife to scrape off the outer skin, making sure to make thin cuts to avoid waste. After peeling, the bamboo shoots will appear tender and white in color.

②Cutting: Depending on different cooking requirements, bamboo shoots can be sliced, shredded, or cut into chunks. For stir-frying or making soup, slice or shred them; for stewing meat or braising dishes, cut them into larger chunks.

③Blanching: Place the prepared bamboo shoots in boiling water and blanch for 1-2 minutes, then remove and rinse thoroughly. This step not only removes bitterness but also helps maintain the bamboo shoots' original color and flavor.

④Cooling: After blanching, quickly transfer the bamboo shoots into cold water to prevent them from continuing to cook in residual heat, thus preserving their crisp texture. Rinsing with cold water also helps maintain the bamboo shoots' original color.

⑤Storage: Drain the prepared bamboo shoots well to remove excess water, and use paper towels to blot dry if needed. The prepared fresh bamboo shoots can be used for various cooking methods such as cold salads, stir-fries, soups, and more.


5.Should fresh bamboo shoots be refrigerated or frozen:

①Refrigeration: Suitable for short-term storage, place bamboo shoots in the refrigerator's main compartment where they can be stored for about 2 months. To maintain freshness, it's recommended to peel off the outer shell, trim the old roots, wash thoroughly, wrap in kitchen paper, and store in a sealed bag. This method can preserve the freshness of bamboo shoots for up to 7 days.

②Freezing: Suitable for long-term storage, peel the bamboo shoots and cut them into suitable-sized pieces. Blanch them in boiling water, drain well, and portion into freezer bags for storage in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator. This method allows bamboo shoots to be stored for an extended period, but it may affect their texture and freshness.


If you're a vegetarian, you definitely shouldn't miss out on "Braised Bamboo Shoots in Oil". Its unique tender-crisp texture and delicate flavor, perfectly blended with seasonings, make it delicious and nutritious. Plus, it's simple to prepare, so get cooking now!

INGREDIENTS

MAIN INGREDIENTS

  • 500g Bamboo Shoots

ACCESSORIES

  • 15g ginger
  • 6g rock sugar

SEASONINGS

  • 20g light soy sauce
  • 5g dark soy sauce
  • 25g Cooking oil
  • 100ml fresh water
  • 2g salt

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Peeling: Start by making a vertical incision in the bamboo shoot, which allows you to peel off most of the outer skin. For the remaining skin at the top, grip the tip of the bamboo shoot and carefully rotate to twist off the remaining skin.

Tip:

Removing the outer skin and cleaning thoroughly is necessary because oxalic acid and bitter substances in the bamboo shoot skin can affect its taste, making it bitter to eat.

Instructions for peeling bamboo shoots to remove bitter skin.

STEP 2

Removing the root: Use your hand to pinch along the bamboo shoot nodes towards the root until you cannot pinch any further. This is the bamboo shoot root. Don't hesitate to cut off and discard the root.

Removing bamboo shoot root: Pinch nodes towards root, cut off and discard if necessary.

STEP 3

Make a vertical incision along the bamboo shoot and then apply pressure with the blade facing one side to allow the bamboo shoot to naturally split open. Use this cutting method to slice the bamboo shoot into strips.

Cut bamboo shoot vertically, apply pressure to split open, slice into strips.

STEP 4

Place the bamboo shoots in cold water, add 1 gram of salt, and blanch for 7-8 minutes. When removing them, skim off any foam and rinse them with cold water.

Tip:

For smaller bamboo shoots, use hot water for blanching; for larger ones, use cold water. This is because hot water can quickly cook the bamboo shoots, preserving their crisp texture, while cold water requires more time to fully cook the bamboo shoots, helping to better remove bitterness and astringency.

Blanch bamboo shoots in cold water for 7-8min. Use hot water for smaller shoots, cold for larger.

STEP 5

Heat a generous amount of oil in a pan over medium heat and stir-fry the ginger slices. Add the blanched bamboo shoots and stir-fry over high heat until the surface of the bamboo shoots is slightly charred and aromatic. Then, add light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and rock sugar, and continue stir-frying quickly.

Tip:

After rinsing bamboo shoots with cold water, make sure to drain them well before use. This helps to further remove bitterness and enhances the crisp texture of the bamboo shoots.

Stir-fry bamboo shoots with ginger, soy sauce, and sugar for a flavorful dish. Drain shoots to enhance texture.

STEP 6

After stirring evenly, add 100ml of water, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 5 minutes. Uncover and simmer until the sauce thickens. Taste for seasoning and adjust salt if needed.

Simmer sauce with water, cover, and thicken. Adjust seasoning.

STEP 7

Plate the dish. Sprinkle with some chopped green onions for garnish, and it's ready to serve!

Plate dish, garnish with chopped green onions, ready to serve!

Recipe analyzer

  • Recipes: chinese bamboo shoots(Braised Spring Bamboo Shoots )
  • Main Ingredients:3
  • Servings per recipe:1
  • Servings size:521 g
Nutritional Summary of Recipe
Amount per 521 g= 1 serving(s)
  • Energy (calories):95 kcal
    4%
  • Protein:7.92 g
    15%
  • Fat:1.21 g Why gray?
    2%
  • Carbohydrates:18.25 g
    7%
Calorie breakdown
  • Protein: 20%
    19 kcal
  • Fat: 10%
    10 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 70%
    68 kcal
The chart shows the percentage of calories intake (energy) coming from the respective macronutrients (fats, protein and carbohydrates).
Omega 6 : Omega 3
1:1
20:1
4:1
Both fatty acids are essential, but nowadays the majority of western diets include excessive amounts of Omega 6 acid.

The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.

6 REVIEWS

Review
Your rating:
PatrickOctober 13, 2024

This bamboo shoots recipe is very unique, it makes me appreciate the new Chinese cuisine.
reply:
October 16, 2024
Thank you very much for your favorite, I hope you enjoy the process of making the bamboo shoots dish.
AmyOctober 01, 2024

Can I use other seasonings instead of soy sauce to make it?
reply:
October 04, 2024
Yes, you can try a mixture of salt, black pepper and a little lemon juice to create a different flavor.
GregorySeptember 20, 2024

How long do I need to cook bamboo shoots to remove the astringent flavor?
reply:
September 23, 2024
Generally, after cutting bamboo shoots into cubes, cooking them in boiling water for about 5 - 10 minutes can effectively remove the astringent flavor.
DavidJuly 22, 2024

Bamboo shoots are crisp, flavorful and nutritious, making them suitable for a variety of cooking styles.
PeterJune 24, 2024

This chinese bamboo shoots is delicious, but it's a bit complicated for me, if only it could be simpler!
jiesiiJune 24, 2024

This chinese bamboo shoots recipe is really great, easy to learn, and it tastes great, I recommend it!
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