Buddha's Delight (Jai)

Buddha's Delight (Jai) takes roughly 8 hours from beginning to end. This gluten free and dairy free recipe serves 15 and costs $2.23 per serving. One portion of this dish contains approximately 13g of protein, 20g of fat, and a total of 342 calories. 36 people have made this recipe and would make it again. It is brought to you by Chow. If you have water, irish moss, bean curd, and a few other ingredients on hand, you can make it. It works well as a reasonably priced hor d'oeuvre. With a spoonacular score of 73%, this dish is good. If you like this recipe, you might also like recipes such as Buddha's Delight (Lo Hon Jai): Chinese Vegetarian Stir-Fry, Buddha’s Delight, and Buddha's Delight.

Servings: 15

 

Ingredients:

1 pound baby bok choy or baby bok choy hearts, washed and dried

1 pound baby carrots

1 (15-ounce) can baby corn, drained

7 ounces fresh boiled bamboo shoots, sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick

6 ounces dried bean curd sticks

1/2 ounce dried black fungus, also known as cloud ear or wood ear (about 2/3 cup or 4 ounces fresh)

3 (1/4-inch-thick by 1/2-inch-long) slices peeled fresh ginger, smashed with the side of a chef's knife to flatten slightly

Granulated sugar

1 ounce dried black moss

Kosher salt

5 ounces fried gluten balls (about 18)

1 medium napa cabbage (about 2 pounds)

7 ounces shelled fresh or canned and drained ginkgo nuts (about 1 cup)

2 ounces dried black shiitake mushrooms (about 15 medium)

8 ounces snow peas

Soy sauce

2 (15-ounce) cans straw mushrooms, drained, liquid reserved

8 ounces deep-fried tofu squares

3/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

1 (20-ounce) can bamboo shoot halves in water, drained and sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick

3 1/2 ounces dried lily buds (about 2 cups)

Equipment:

bowl

pot

cutting board

measuring cup

slotted spoon

stove

wok

spatula

drinking straws

Cooking instruction summary:

For soaking the dried ingredients:1Place the dried shiitake mushrooms in a medium bowl, cover with 3 cups of warm water, and soak until softened, at least 5 hours or overnight.2Place the dried bean curd sticks and dried lily buds in separate large bowls, cover each with warm water, and let sit for 1 hour to soften, making sure they are submerged in the water and breaking up any lily buds that are sticking together.3Place the dried black moss and the dried black fungus in separate medium bowls. Cover each with warm water and let sit for 1 hour to soften, making sure they are submerged in the water.4Bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a large 12-quart stockpot with a tightfitting lid. Remove from heat, add the deep-fried tofu and gluten balls, and submerge them by placing a small plate on top. Let sit 15 minutes to remove some of the oil from the tofu and gluten balls.For preparing the soaked ingredients:1Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shiitake mushrooms to a cutting board, being careful not to disturb the gritty sediment on the bottom of the bowl. Trim off the tough stems and cut each mushroom in half; set aside. Slowly pour 2 cups of the soaking liquid into a measuring cup, leaving the sediment behind; set aside. Discard the remaining liquid and sediment.2Drain the bean curd sticks and cut crosswise into 1-1/2-inch pieces; set aside.3Drain the lily buds and tie a knot in the middle of each; set aside.4Drain the moss, place in a medium bowl, add 1 teaspoon of the vegetable oil and a large pinch of salt, and toss to combine; set aside.5Drain the black fungus; set aside.6Drain the tofu and gluten balls from the stockpot; clean the stockpot and set it aside. When the tofu and gluten balls are cool enough to handle, gently squeeze out some of the excess liquid; set aside.For cooking the jai:1Set the stockpot on the stovetop.2Heat a 14-inch wok over high heat until hot. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of the oil around the perimeter of the wok and add the shiitake and straw mushrooms in an even layer. Season with a large pinch of salt and a small pinch of sugar and, using a metal spatula, stir-fry until the mushrooms are fragrant and begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Transfer to the stockpot.3One ingredient at a time, using 1 tablespoon of oil for each and seasoning with salt and sugar, stir-fry the bean curd sticks, moss, baby corn, and ginkgo nuts until softened slightly, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer each batch to the stockpot.4Using 1 tablespoon of the oil and seasoning with salt and sugar, stir-fry the tofu and gluten balls together until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to the stockpot.5Using 1 tablespoon of the oil and seasoning with salt and sugar, stir-fry the canned and fresh bamboo shoots together until heated through, about 2 minutes. Transfer to the stockpot.6Stir the ingredients in the stockpot together until thoroughly combined. Add the reserved mushroom soaking liquid, canned mushroom liquid, and enough water to just cover the ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.7Meanwhile, cut the napa cabbage in half lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces, discarding the core; set aside. Trim the ends off the bok choy and cut into 2-inch pieces (no need to cut if youre using baby bok choy hearts); set aside.8Heat the wok over high heat until hot. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of the oil around the perimeter and add the reserved cabbage and ginger. Season with a large pinch of salt and a small pinch of sugar and stir-fry until the cabbage just starts to wilt, about 2 minutes. Transfer to the stockpot.9Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of the oil around the perimeter of the wok and add the bok choy. Season with a large pinch of salt and a small pinch of sugar and stir-fry until the bok choy just starts to wilt, about 2 minutes. Transfer to the stockpot.10One at a time, using 1 tablespoon of oil for each and seasoning with salt and sugar, stir-fry the carrots, black fungus, and lily buds until coated in oil, about 1 minute. Transfer each batch to the stockpot.11Stir the jai together to thoroughly combine. Add enough water to just cover the ingredients and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until all the ingredients are cooked through and tender, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Stir in the snow peas. Taste and season with salt and soy sauce as needed. If you choose, serve with steamed rice. Share This RecipePrintEmailSave (102)

 

Step by step:


1. For soaking the dried ingredients:1

2. Place the dried shiitake mushrooms in a medium bowl, cover with 3 cups of warm water, and soak until softened, at least 5 hours or overnight.2

3. Place the dried bean curd sticks and dried lily buds in separate large bowls, cover each with warm water, and let sit for 1 hour to soften, making sure they are submerged in the water and breaking up any lily buds that are sticking together.3

4. Place the dried black moss and the dried black fungus in separate medium bowls. Cover each with warm water and let sit for 1 hour to soften, making sure they are submerged in the water.4Bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a large 12-quart stockpot with a tightfitting lid.

5. Remove from heat, add the deep-fried tofu and gluten balls, and submerge them by placing a small plate on top.

6. Let sit 15 minutes to remove some of the oil from the tofu and gluten balls.For preparing the soaked ingredients:1Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shiitake mushrooms to a cutting board, being careful not to disturb the gritty sediment on the bottom of the bowl. Trim off the tough stems and cut each mushroom in half; set aside. Slowly pour 2 cups of the soaking liquid into a measuring cup, leaving the sediment behind; set aside. Discard the remaining liquid and sediment.2

7. Drain the bean curd sticks and cut crosswise into 1-1/2-inch pieces; set aside.3

8. Drain the lily buds and tie a knot in the middle of each; set aside.4

9. Drain the moss, place in a medium bowl, add 1 teaspoon of the vegetable oil and a large pinch of salt, and toss to combine; set aside.5

10. Drain the black fungus; set aside.6

11. Drain the tofu and gluten balls from the stockpot; clean the stockpot and set it aside. When the tofu and gluten balls are cool enough to handle, gently squeeze out some of the excess liquid; set aside.For cooking the jai:1Set the stockpot on the stovetop.2

12. Heat a 14-inch wok over high heat until hot.

13. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of the oil around the perimeter of the wok and add the shiitake and straw mushrooms in an even layer. Season with a large pinch of salt and a small pinch of sugar and, using a metal spatula, stir-fry until the mushrooms are fragrant and begin to soften, about 2 minutes.

14. Transfer to the stockpot.3One ingredient at a time, using 1 tablespoon of oil for each and seasoning with salt and sugar, stir-fry the bean curd sticks, moss, baby corn, and ginkgo nuts until softened slightly, about 1 to 2 minutes.

15. Transfer each batch to the stockpot.4Using 1 tablespoon of the oil and seasoning with salt and sugar, stir-fry the tofu and gluten balls together until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

16. Transfer to the stockpot.5Using 1 tablespoon of the oil and seasoning with salt and sugar, stir-fry the canned and fresh bamboo shoots together until heated through, about 2 minutes.

17. Transfer to the stockpot.6Stir the ingredients in the stockpot together until thoroughly combined.

18. Add the reserved mushroom soaking liquid, canned mushroom liquid, and enough water to just cover the ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.7Meanwhile, cut the napa cabbage in half lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces, discarding the core; set aside. Trim the ends off the bok choy and cut into 2-inch pieces (no need to cut if youre using baby bok choy hearts); set aside.8

19. Heat the wok over high heat until hot.

20. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of the oil around the perimeter and add the reserved cabbage and ginger. Season with a large pinch of salt and a small pinch of sugar and stir-fry until the cabbage just starts to wilt, about 2 minutes.

21. Transfer to the stockpot.9

22. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of the oil around the perimeter of the wok and add the bok choy. Season with a large pinch of salt and a small pinch of sugar and stir-fry until the bok choy just starts to wilt, about 2 minutes.

23. Transfer to the stockpot.10One at a time, using 1 tablespoon of oil for each and seasoning with salt and sugar, stir-fry the carrots, black fungus, and lily buds until coated in oil, about 1 minute.

24. Transfer each batch to the stockpot.11Stir the jai together to thoroughly combine.

25. Add enough water to just cover the ingredients and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until all the ingredients are cooked through and tender, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Stir in the snow peas. Taste and season with salt and soy sauce as needed. If you choose, serve with steamed rice.

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Nutrition Information:

Quickview
341k Calories
12g Protein
20g Total Fat
32g Carbs
19% Health Score
Limit These
Calories
341k
17%

Fat
20g
31%

  Saturated Fat
10g
66%

Carbohydrates
32g
11%

  Sugar
17g
20%

Cholesterol
6mg
2%

Sodium
1479mg
64%

Get Enough Of These
Protein
12g
26%

Vitamin A
5965IU
119%

Vitamin C
42mg
51%

Vitamin K
35µg
34%

Manganese
0.63mg
31%

Folate
105µg
26%

Fiber
6g
24%

Vitamin B6
0.38mg
19%

Phosphorus
188mg
19%

Iron
3mg
19%

Selenium
12µg
18%

Copper
0.34mg
17%

Magnesium
63mg
16%

Calcium
151mg
15%

Vitamin B3
2mg
15%

Potassium
516mg
15%

Vitamin B1
0.2mg
14%

Vitamin B2
0.2mg
12%

Vitamin B5
1mg
11%

Zinc
1mg
11%

Vitamin E
0.68mg
5%

Vitamin B12
0.07µg
1%

covered percent of daily need
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If you want to speed up the ripening of a pineapple, so that you can eat it faster, then you can do it by standing it upside down (on the leafy end).

Food Joke

I tried not to be biased in hiring a handicapped person, but his placement counselor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy. I had never had a mentally-handicapped employee, and I wasn't sure I wanted one. I wasn't sure how my customers would react to Stevie. He was short, a little dumpy, and had the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of Down Syndrome. I wasn't worried about most of my trucker customers because truckers don't generally care who buses tables as long as the meatloaf platter is good and the pies are homemade. The four-wheeler drivers were the ones who concerned me; the mouthy college kids traveling to school; the yuppie snobs who secretly polish their silverware with their napkins for fear of catching some dreaded "truck stop germ;" the pairs of white-shirted business men on expense accounts who think every truck stop waitress wants to be flirted with. I knew those people would be uncomfortable around Stevie so I closely watched him for the first few weeks. I shouldn't have worried. After the first week, Stevie had my staff wrapped around his stubby little finger, and within a month my truck regulars had adopted him as their official truck stop mascot. After that, I really didn't care what the rest of the customers thought of him. He was like a 21-year-old in blue jeans and Nikes, eager to laugh and eager to please, but fierce in his attention to his duties. Every salt and pepper shaker was exactly in its place, not a bread crumb or coffee spill was visible when Stevie got done with the table. Our only problem was convincing him to wait to clean a table until after the customers were finished. He would hover in the background, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, scanning the dining room until a table was empty. Then he would scurry to the empty table and carefully bus the dishes and glasses onto a cart and meticulously wipe the table up with a practiced flourish of his rag. If he thought a customer was watching, his brow would pucker with added concentration. He took pride in doing his job exactly right, and you had to love how hard he tried to please each and every person he met. Over time, we learned that he lived with his mother, a widow who was disabled after repeated surgeries for cancer. They lived on their Social Security benefits in public housing two miles from the truck stop. Their social worker, who stopped to check on him every so often, admitted they had fallen between the cracks. Money was tight, and what I paid him was probably the difference between them being able to live together and Stevie being sent to a group home. That's why the restaurant was a gloomy place that morning last August, the first morning in three years that Stevie had missed work. He was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester getting a new valve or something put in his heart. His social worker said that people with Down Syndrome often had heart problems at an early age so this wasn't unexpected, and there was a good chance he would come through the surgery in good shape and be back at work in a few months. A ripple of excitement ran through the staff later that morning when word came that he was out of surgery, in recovery and doing fine. Frannie, my head waitress, let out a war whoop and did a little dance in the aisle when she heard the good news. Belle Ringer, one of our regular trucker customers, stared at the sight of the 50-year-old grandmother of four doing a victory shimmy beside his table. Frannie blushed, smoothed her apron and shot Belle Ringer a withering look. He grinned. "OK, Frannie, what was that all about?" he asked. "We just got word that Stevie is out of surgery and going to be okay." "I was wondering where he was. I had a new joke to tell him. What was the surgery about?" Frannie quickly told Belle Ringer and the other two drivers sitting at his booth about Stevie's surgery, then sighed. "Yeah, I'm glad he is going to be OK," she said, "but I don't know how he and his mom are going to handle all the bills. From what I hear, they're barely getti.

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