Luóhàn Zahi / Buddha's Delight

(click to enlarge)	Luóhàn Zahi / Buddha's Delight China - Buddhist - Luóhàn Zahi (Enlightened Vegetarian Food)
(click to enlarge)	Makes: Effort: Sched: DoAhead:	4 # * 3-1/4 hr Note-10**		This vegetable stew is served at Buddhist temples in China, and has spread widely from there. It contains at least 10 ingredients, but 18 is also common. Exact ingredients vary. See Other Ingredients for accepted options. See also Comments.

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-- Soaking items
Tofu Bamboo (1)
Shiitake Mushrooms (2)
Black Fungus (3)
Bean Thread Noodles (4)
-- Start items
Garlic
Ginger Root
Brown Beech Mushroom (5)
White Beech Mushroom (5)
Shiitakes
Black Fungus
-- Middle items
Gai Lan, or (6)
Bamboo Shoot
Fried Tofu (7)
Water Chestnuts (8)
Tofu Bamboo
-- Finish items
Snow Peas
Gai Lan Leaves
Bean Threads
Potato Starch
Water
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Oil
Water
Soy Sauce
Sugar
Salt
Sesame Oil

Soaking - (2+ hrs - 15 min work)

Soak TOFU BAMBOO in warm water until softened through - up to 2 hours for the Bean Curd Sticks I used in the photo example. Cut into about 1 inch lengths, discarding any spots that are still hard. If you're lucky enough to get fresh pouches, just cut into about 3/4 inch squares.
Soak SHIITAKES in hot water about 20 minutes. Stem and cut into about 1/2 inch squares. If using dried Shiitakes (Black Mushroom) soak in tepid water for an hour at least.
Soak BLACK FUNGUS in cool water until rehydrated, about 45 minutes. Remove any hard parts and cut into 1 inch pieces.
Soak BEAN NOODLES in warm water for about 10 minutes. Drain. Make a couple cuts through the pile to make them more manageable.

Prep - (55 min)

Peel GARLIC and slice thin. Slice GINGER very thin and cut slices into narrow matchsticks. Mix.
Cut BEECH MUSHROOMS away from their matrix, discarding the matrix.
Remove GAI LAN leaves and cut stems diagonally into bite size pieces, shorter at the thick end and longer at the thin end. Chop Leaves quite coarse and hold separate from the stems.
Slice BAMBOO SHOOT a little over 1/8 inch thick and cut into bite size pieces. Add to the Gai Lan Stems.
Cut FRIED TOFU blocks in half. Add to the Gai Lan Stems
Peel WATER CHESTNUTS and cut in half. Add to the Gai Lan Stems.
Cut SNOW PEAS stem end off, then in half crosswise.
Mix Potato Starch with 2 T Water.

Run - (15 min)

In a wok, heat Oil and fry Garlic mix a few seconds until aromatic. Stir in All Mushrooms and Black Fungus. Fry stirring for about a minute.
Stir in all Middle Items, then 4 c Water, 1/3 c and the Soy Sauce. Bring to a boil, then simmer until Gai Lan Stems are just crisp tender.
Stir in Snow Peas,Bean Threads and as much of the Gai Lan Leaves as you want. Simmer a minute or so.
Stir up the Potato Starch mix. Pour it into the pan and stir until the sauce thickens some.
Take off heat and stir in Sesame Oil
Serve hot accompanied by steamed Jasmine rice.

NOTES:

Tofu Bamboo:
[Bean Curd Sticks] This is rolled up and dried Tofu Skins, and comes in several forms, both dried and fresh. The given weight is for dried. Fresh or soaked will be at least twice that. The photo example used dried "Tofu Sticks". but cut fresh "Pouches" would work fine too. For details, see our Tofu page.
Shiitake Mushrooms:
Fresh have become pretty common, at least here in California. You could also use 1/2 the weight in dried, usually sold as "Black Mushrooms", which are available pretty much everywhere. The dried need about 45 minutes soak in warm water. Soaking Fresh Shiitakes greatly improves their texture. For details see our Shiitake Mushrooms page.
Black Fungus:
This can be found in just about any market that carries a decent variety of Asian ingredients. For details see our Black Fungus page.
Bean Thread Noodles:
These are often sold in 1.8 or 2 ounce packets. Either size will work fine here. Do not confuse these with Rice Noodles, which can look the same dry, but have very different cooking properties. For details, see our Asian Noodles page.
Beech Mushrooms:
[Hon-Shimeji] These are sold around here in small plastic tubs holding a little over 5 ounces. You will have to cut away the matrix they are grown in, so a 5 ounce tub yields a little over 3 ounces of usable 'shrooms. If you don't have Beech Mushrooms, use one of the firmer versions of Oyster mushrooms, cut as appropriate. For details see our Fungus page.
Gai Lan:
This is Chinese Broccoli, quite a bit different from Western Broccoli. It is widely available in Asian markets. A good substitute is Yu Choy which is not closely related but looks much the same. Both are quite stemmy, and the stems of both are tender and cook quite quickly. Western Broccoli can be used, but cook it separately until just tender, and add it with the Final Items. For details see our Cabbage Greens page.
Deep Fried Tofu:
These are available in pretty much any Asian market. Select soft blocks about 1-1/2 inch on a side. For details see our Tofu page.
Water Chestnuts:
These taste much better fresh than canned. Of course fresh ones have to be peeled. For details see our Water Chestnuts page.
Comments:
All the items included should be cut into a size that can be eaten and tasted individually, but should not be so large as to be difficult to eat in one bite. All should be cooked the minimum time that will make them pleasant to eat. Garlic would probably not be included in a purely Buddhist stew.
Do Ahead
This dish is best finished just before serving, but, the Soaking section can be done at least a day ahead, and prep for Middle items and Finish Items can be done hours ahead or even overnight refrigerated. This makes it a practical party dish with a very short final cooking time. It can be reheated, but the bright green colors will be faded.
Other Ingredients
- Baby Corn: Add with Middle Items.
- Bean Sprouts: add with Finish Items.
- Carrots: slice quite thin due to short cooking time and add with Middle Items.
- Cauliflower: Western or Chinese, should be lightly cooked before adding with Middle Items.
- Chinese Celery: cut into bite size pieces. Add with Middle Items.
- Fat Choy: used in New Years versions. Add with Middle Items.
- Kelp: Often strips tied in a knot. Add with Middle Items.
- Lotus Root Cut fairly thin and small as they will stay crunchy. Add with Middle Items.
- Other Mushrooms Straw Mushrooms, Oyster Mushrooms, Matsutake
- Potatoes: pre-cooked 3/4 inch cubes, waxy potatoes, add with Final Items.
- Wheat Gluten: various forms can be used. Add with Middle Items.
U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste

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Luóhàn Zahi / Buddha's Delight

Tofu Bamboo:

Shiitake Mushrooms:

Black Fungus:

Bean Thread Noodles:

Beech Mushrooms:

Gai Lan:

Deep Fried Tofu:

Water Chestnuts:

Comments:

Do Ahead

Other Ingredients