Dish of Chap Chai Nonya
(click to enlarge)

Chap Chai Nonya


Singapore
Makes:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  		 4 side
**
45 min
Prep		 A spectacular exposition of contrasting flavors and textures. This is a Nonya (Peranakan) version of a widely popular stir fry. Recipes vary some, but Cabbage and Carrots are basic. See also Comments.




12
5
3
1/3
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5
0.9
0.7
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3-1/2
0.7
5
3
1
2
1
oz
oz
cl
in
---

oz
oz
---
oz
oz
oz
T
T
T
t
Cabbage (1)
Carrot
Garlic
Ginger Root
-- Soak
Black Mushroom (2)  
Black Fungus (3)
Lily Buds, dry (4)
-----
Bean Threads (5)
Fermented tofu (6)
Tofu Puffs (7)
Oil
Water
Water (more)
Salt
Do Ahead   -   (45 min - 5 min work)
  1. Soak all Soak items in water to cover for about 40 minutes or until well rehydrated. They can be all soaked together. Drain. Once soaked you can hold these for hours, or overnight in the fridge.
Prep   -   (25 min)
  1. Stem soaked Mushrooms and cut once across, then twice at right angles (unless small, then once each way). Cut Black Fungus into pieces about 1 inch on a side. Cut Lily Buds in half only if very long. Mix all.
  2. Slice CABBAGE into wedges about 1-3/4 inches wide and slice crosswise about 1/2 inch wide. Peel CARROTS and slice thin diagonally. Mix
  3. Crush GARLIC and chop fine. Slice GINGER very thin, then cut slices into threads. Mix.
Run   -   (20 min)
  1. place your 2 skeins of Bean Threads in a bowl and cover with cool water. Best to do this a few minutes before starting cooking.
  2. In a wok (13 inch is good) heat OIL over moderately high flame. Fry Garlic mix stirring until just aromatic, then stir in Fermented Tofu and 1 T Water. Fry stirring and crushing the Tofu until it is evenly distributed.
  3. Stir in drained Soak mix and Cabbage mix. Fry stirring over higher heat for 1 minute, then stir in Tofu Puffs and 2 T Water. Tumble it all well and cover. Lower heat and let steam, stirring several times, until Cabbage is wilted, but still has crunch.
  4. Drain Bean Threads. Cut the skeins in half crosswise and gently tumble into the Vegies. Stir in Salt and continue to steam, tossing a couple times, for another 3 minutes.
  5. Serve hot, along with plenty of steamed Jasmine rice. This recipe can be carefully reheated, back in the wok.
NOTES:

  1. Cabbage:

      This can be Napa Cabbage, White Cabbage (yes, they have it in Asia), or any of the Choys, or a mix of any. For details see our Cabbage & Mustard Greens page (the Asian Greens section).

  2. Black Mushrooms:

      These are the regular dried Shiitakes available anywhere with an Asian section. For details see our Shiitake Mushrooms page.

  3. Black Fungus:

      (25 grams) This common item is available in most markets serving an East or Southeast Asian community. For details see our Black Fungus page.

  4. Lily Buds, Dry:

      These can be found in markets serving an East or Southeast Asian community. For details see our Daylily - Golden Needles page.

  5. Bean Threads

      [Glass Noodles]   These are usually packed in skeins of 50 grams (1.8 ounces). This recipe will need 2 skeins. For details see our Asian Noodles page.

  6. Fermented Tofu:

      (23 grams) Several forms are available in jars from practically any market serving an East or Southeast Asian community. For details see our Fermented Tofu page.

  7. Tofu Puffs:

      These should be whole small ones, but medium ones can be cut. The pattern recipe called for Tofu Puffs, but the photo example used Deep Fried Soybean Cake which works fine in stir fries. These are found in any number of sizes and shapes in markets serving a significant East or Southeast Asian community. When buying, examine carefully for mold. They can be frozen if not used immediately.

  8. Comments:

    "Nonya Cuisine" is a fusion cuisine from the Nonyas ("Aunties") of the Straits Chinese (Peranakan). They descend from Chinese merchants who settled in Malaysia, marrying Malaysian women. The women blended Chinese features into their Malaysian cuisine to please their husbands. Originally from Fujian, China, this stir fry is now popular, in its infinite forms, throughout Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
  9. 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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