Food & Receipts

The Secret to Tender Sun-Dried Bamboo Shoots: A Magic Ingredient to Reduce Cooking Time

With the following dried bamboo shoot soup recipe, you'll be able to create a delicious and fragrant dish without spending hours in the kitchen.

Administrator

18 December, 2024

The traditional dish of dried bamboo soup is a must-have for the Lunar New Year celebrations in Northern Vietnam. Below are the secrets to cooking this delicious dish, which is a favorite among many but takes a long time to prepare. With the following tips on cooking bamboo shoots, you can reduce the cooking time by half.

Ingredients for Dried Bamboo Soup

Dried bamboo shoots: 500g

Pork hock: 1 piece

Seasonings: salt, fish sauce, and scallions.

Tips for Selecting the Best Bamboo Shoots

Choose bamboo shoots that have a yellowish-brown color and are cut into small pieces. Avoid those that have been pre-soaked in salt. Larger pieces will require longer soaking and boiling times. Fresh bamboo shoots should have a distinct aroma.

How to Cook Dried Bamboo Shoots Quickly

Step 1: Start by rinsing the dried bamboo shoots and soaking them overnight to rehydrate. You can also soak them for 2-3 nights, changing the water daily. For the first soak, use rice washing water to make the bamboo shoots whiter and more delicious; regular water can be used for the remaining soaks.

Step 2: After soaking, boil the bamboo shoots in a pot of water several times until they are completely soft and the water turns clear. Maintain a rolling boil for at least an hour over medium heat.

Step 3: Once boiled, plunge the bamboo shoots into cold water to enhance their crispness. Then, either tear or cut them into smaller pieces as desired.

Step 4: In a hot pan, stir-fry the bamboo shoots with a little salt and fish sauce to infuse flavor. Use low heat to ensure even cooking.

Step 5: Clean the pork hock and bones by rubbing them with salt, then briefly blanch them to ensure a clear broth. Rinse again with clean water.

Step 6: Place the pork hock and bones in a pot, cover them with cold water, and simmer for about 30 minutes. Skim off any foam that rises to the top to ensure a clear broth.

Step 7: Add the stir-fried bamboo shoots to the pot with the bones and continue cooking until the bamboo shoots are soft and the pork hock is tender.

Step 8: Finally, taste the broth and adjust seasoning if needed. Add the scallions, turn off the heat, and serve. Enjoy your delicious dried bamboo soup with pork hock!