Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli) Recipe

Gai Lan or Chinese Broccoli, sometimes known as Chinese Kale and also by a half dozen other names is delicious. It's worth trying once, after that you'll be hooked.

By definition it is a broad leafed vegetable with small florets. It has stems that are somewhat petite compared to run of the mill broccoli.

You can purchase all the ingredients to make this recipe at 99 Ranch Market. There are numerous 99 Ranch Markets throughout Southern California. Right now you can buy gai lan for about $.89 cents per pound, an exceptional value when you consider many mainstream grocery stores are selling their broccoli for $1.49 per pound currently.

Gai Lan with Bean Curd

(There is a small slide show if you click on the picture of gai lan in the top left corner to help you identify the ingredients.)

1/2 to 3/4 pound Gai Lan or Chinese Broccoli

3 or 4 chunks of Bean Curd with a teaspoon or two of Oil from one jar of Fermented Chili Bean Curd Chunk with Sesame Oil ( Please don't let this scare you.. It's basically tofu in chili oil)

1 Tbsp Sherry

1 tsp Sugar

1/4 cup Water

Usually the gai lan is cut to a decent length requiring no trimming it should be about 10" inches long- you can cut the stems if they are very long.

Start off with a frying pan on low temperature and mix the bean curd, sherry , sugar and water together and let it come to a simmer. Then add the gai lan and cover on medium heat for about 5 to 8 minutes, add a bit more water if necessary, until the broccoli begins to steam and the stems soften a bit. At this point take the lid off and let it saute in the sauce, this gives the sauce a chance reduce. Saute the gai lan until just tender and still very green. You want to be able to easily cut through the, still as yet firm, stem with a knife.

Check the flavor to see if it's rich enough. You may want to add even more fermented bean curd, mix until blended in the sauce. Put in a pretty dish and you are ready for a delicious veggie. Don't just make this with other Asian food. Have it with roast chicken and baked potatoes or steak and mushrooms. It's a great compliment to many meals.