Water Spinach with Garlic and Fermented Tofu

Name: Water Spinach with Garlic and Fermented Tofu
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: serves 4
Ingredients: 1 bunch water spinach (about 1 lb.), washed and trimmed; 3 Tbsp. peanut oil; 2-4 cloves garlic, bruised with flat side of knife until juicy, coarsely chopped; Salt; 1 Tbsp. fermented tofu

Serves
serves 4

SAVEUR EDITORS

(Fu Ru Jiao Si Chao Tan Cai)

Water spinach has long, hollow stems and medium-size, tender leaves. According to A Cook's Guide to Chinese Vegetables by Martha Dahlen (Odyssey, 1997), Chinese cooks know that water spinach "tastes best cooked with something of intense . . . flavor", such as the fermented tofu in this recipe.

Ingredients

1 bunch water spinach (about 1 lb.), washed and trimmed
3 Tbsp. peanut oil
2-4 cloves garlic, bruised with flat side of knife until juicy, coarsely chopped
Salt
1 Tbsp. fermented tofu

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Instructions

Step 1

Cut the spinach into 3"-long pieces. If any stems are thicker than 1⁄3", cut them in half lengthwise, or they'll be too chewy when cooked. Spin the pieces dry in a salad spinner. (The leaves should be very dry; damp leaves will cause the final dish to be too watery.)

Step 2

Heat the oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the garlic and a pinch of salt and stir-fry until the garlic has just lost its rawness, about 1 minute. Add the fermented tofu and stir it vigorously around in the wok until it dissolves, about 30 seconds.

Step 3

Add the spinach, increase the heat to medium-high, and stir-fry until the spinach is just limp, the leaves are bright green, and the stems are still crisp, 2–3 minutes. Taste for salt, adding only a pinch more if necessary. (The fermented tofu will add some saltiness.) Transfer to a large serving platter and spread out slightly so that the spinach doesn't continue to cook too much. Serve immediately.