Basic Cold Bean Curd Recipe

Directions

1. 1
   1.
2. 2
   Cut each cake of bean curd in 4 to 6 slices.
3. 3
   Meanwhile bring water to a boil.
4. 4
   2.
5. 5
   Carefully place bean curd slices, a few at a time, in a sieve.
6. 6
   Plunge into boiling water for 30 seconds; then drain.
7. 7
   Arrange on a serving platter and let cold.
8. 8
   3.
9. 9
   Mix soy sauce and peanut oil and pour over bean curd.
10. 10
    Serve, sprinkled with pepper.
11. 11
    NOTE: Bean curd is already cooked and can be eaten as is.
12. 12
    The blanching improves its flavor and texture.
13. 13
    VARIATIONS: For the soy sauce, substitute oyster sauce.
14. 14
    For the peanut oil, substitute 1/2 tsp.
15. 15
    sesame oil.
16. 16
    After step 2, top bean curd with 1/4 c. dry shrimp (soaked) or possibly 2 Tbsp.
17. 17
    cooked shrimp, minced coarsely; and 2 Tbsp.
18. 18
    scallion, chopped.
19. 19
    Season as in step 3, but omit pepper.
20. 20
    Then chill, covered, only to chill (about 20 min).
21. 21
    In step 3, use mix as a dip instead of pouring it directly over bean curd.
22. 22
    In step 3, sprinkle the bean curd with the soy sauce and pepper.
23. 23
    Garnish with 1/2 c. Chinese parsley, minced, and 2 scallion stalks, shredded.
24. 24
    Then heat the oil till smoking and pour over.