乾鮑 Dried Abalone (Bao yu) / 中國飲食文化 Chinese Food Culture / SML.20131118.7D.51331
Bao yu (鮑魚) is the common Chinese name given to abalone and also the dried seafood product produced from the adductor muscle of abalone. In dried form, it is a highly prized and expensive ingredient used in Chinese cuisine. In certain regional Chinese cuisines, its status ranks with such priced ingredients as shark’s fin, sea cucumber and bird’s nest. Fresh abalone is rarely used in Chinese cuisine. It is usually purchased in dehydrated form and rehydrated prior to cooking.
I eat a lot of these! They are amazing in soups and congees. Although the larger ones can be quite expensive, the smaller ones are affordable and very suitable for everyday cooking. Aside from individual dried forms, you can often find canned versions of these in supermarkets as well. When cooked, most of the sweetness and freshness will be transferred into the cooking liquids, and enlivening all parts of the dish. Highly recommended.
Photographed in Lau Fau Shan (流浮山), Hong Kong.
# More Information
+ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bao_yu
乾鮑 Dried Abalone (Bao yu) / 中國飲食文化 Chinese Food Culture / SML.20131118.7D.51331
乾鮑 Dried Abalone (Bao yu) / 中國飲食文化 Chinese Food Culture / SML.20131118.7D.51331
Bao yu (鮑魚) is the common Chinese name given to abalone and also the dried seafood product produced from the adductor muscle of abalone. In dried form, it is a highly prized and expensive ingredient used in Chinese cuisine. In certain regional Chinese cuisines, its status ranks with such priced ingredients as shark’s fin, sea cucumber and bird’s nest. Fresh abalone is rarely used in Chinese cuisine. It is usually purchased in dehydrated form and rehydrated prior to cooking.
I eat a lot of these! They are amazing in soups and congees. Although the larger ones can be quite expensive, the smaller ones are affordable and very suitable for everyday cooking. Aside from individual dried forms, you can often find canned versions of these in supermarkets as well. When cooked, most of the sweetness and freshness will be transferred into the cooking liquids, and enlivening all parts of the dish. Highly recommended.
Photographed in Lau Fau Shan (流浮山), Hong Kong.
# More Information
+ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bao_yu
乾鮑 Dried Abalone (Bao yu) / 中國飲食文化 Chinese Food Culture / SML.20131118.7D.51331