Loaches Burrowing into Tofu
This steamed soup dish is prepared by placing live loaches in a pot of cold water, heating gently over low heat so the loaches burrow into tofu, then steaming the mixture.
Ingredients
live loaches (first keep them in a basin of water for several days, adding a few drops of vegetable oil so they can purge impurities from their intestines, then rinse them clean)
300 g
tofu (place in the center of the pot)
500 g
scallion (wash and cut into sections)
1
ginger (wash and lightly crush)
1 small piece
garlic
6 cloves
cilantro
1
dried chili peppers
3
stock (for steaming)
to taste
fine salt
to taste
ground pepper
to taste
MSG
to taste
Instructions
1
Cleanse the Loaches
Place the live loaches in a basin of water to cleanse for several days, adding a few drops of vegetable oil so they purge impurities from their intestines, then rinse them clean.
2
Prepare the Aromatics
Wash the scallion and cut it into sections. Wash the ginger and lightly crush it.
3
The Loaches Burrow into the Tofu
Put the pot over the heat, turn it to low, and add cold water. Place the tofu in the middle and arrange the loaches around it. As the water gradually heats, the loaches will burrow into the tofu.
4
Steam
Once all the loaches have burrowed into the tofu, carefully remove the tofu and place it in a soup bowl. Pour in the stock, add fine salt, ground pepper, ginger, scallion, and MSG, then steam for 15 minutes.
