August 13, 2011

Soaking Dried Bamboo Shoot from China

July and August are the bamboo shoot season of Sarawak. Every where in the market you can see big and small bamboo shoots (and different varieties too).

However sometimes the older Foochow generation would long for their own bamboo shoots from China.

They will have to buy the dried ones from the Chinese Medicine shops. In Miri for sometime the dried bamboo shoots were not available. But this year some of the Chinese Medicine shops have started to stock them again. Perhaps the climate of Chinese has been better in the last few years.



As a challenge to myself I went to buy two pieces of dried bamboo shoots (they were RM10 per kg and therefore more expensive than the fresh ones)

And I soaked the bamboo shoots ...Use warm water to saok the two pieces over night.

Change water after 24 hours. Use warm water again and then change after 24 hours.

After a few days the dried bamboo shoots become rehydrated and I used it to make soup or fry with some meat.

I portioned these two pieces into three and cooked in different styles.

This was a nostalgic journey into the past and I had no grandma or other elders to help me out.

6 comments:

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

how was the taste? as my ancestors had bamboo shoots both in China and Sibu, my parents once dried them and sent them to me in NZ. They didn't taste the same as fresh ones. here we now get pickled ones in chilli from Thailand. I love it, but the husband doesn't like me to take too much.

Ensurai said...

As good as fresh ones..there is this special taste. I like the black ones better. Smoked dried. But those were soaked by my grandmother. So fantastic as only Grandma could make...The thai ones depend on the chili and the vinegar...of course most Chinese men would not like too much bamboo shoots. Masuk angin...jip hong...or wind will enter body...But you know I break all the small rules...hahahah

Cheers.

Anonymous said...

hearsay if got gout,avoid this bamboo shoot ,eh?

Ah Ngao

Ensurai said...

Ah Ngao..I am not sure about bamboo shoot...but if you are taking a lot of medicsation bamboo shoot is too cooling. I know if you have gout you cannot eat beans and beansprouts...

Avoid soy milk too and santan. Cheers.

Lee said...

Hi Sarawakiana, I have always love bamboo shoots.
Used to buy them during my working days from the kampongs or aborigines in the jungle.

Today we buy the tinned ones from china, 'Winter bamboo shoots'.
Never tried these dry ones as you mentioned.
Must ask my wife about it.
You have a nice day.
Lee.

Ensurai said...

Hi Uncle Lee...how are you? It is hot over there?

Yes...you have to ask how different bamboos are soaked in water..Need to have all those Q Q or tips.

Have a good day...

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