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Photograph of the finished Luo han zhai (Buddha's delight)

China · La hán trai

Luo han zhai (Buddha's delight)

45 min Hands-on time
MediumDifficulty
5 stepsSteps

Method

  1. 1 Soak shiitake mushrooms and wood ear mushrooms in warm water for 20 minutes, reserving the mushroom soaking water for cooking.
  2. 2 Fry the sliced tofu for 5 minutes until golden brown, then soak the vermicelli for 5 minutes until softened.
  3. 3 Sauté shredded ginger, then stir-fry carrots, bamboo shoots, and mushrooms for 3 minutes.
  4. 4 Pour the mushroom soaking water into the pot along with soy sauce and sugar, then simmer for 8 minutes.
  5. 5 Add the Chinese broccoli, tofu, and vermicelli noodles and cook for another 3 minutes. Thicken with cornstarch mixed with water, then drizzle with sesame oil.

With an appliance

  • Air fryer 50 min

    Instead of frying the tofu in step 2: lightly spray with oil and fry at 190 degrees for 10 minutes, flipping at the 5th minute; the vermicelli should remain soaked separately and only be added in step 5 to prevent it from becoming mushy.