Chinese New Year Lucky Dish: Ten Vegetable Treasures (素什锦)

素什锦 (Su Shi Jing)

A very traditional Chinese vegetable combo with numerous varieties of vegetables. "10" is just a number, the actual number of vegetables could be less or more. This is also a popular dish to celebrate Chinese year, especially in Shanghai region.

For more fun cooking ideas, see Recipes by Category.

Ingredients (Essential Ingredients for Cooking Authentic Chinese Food)

• 1/4 lb. fresh oyster mushroom (available in Chinese grocery stores year around, with reasonable price)
• 1/2 lb. soybean sprout
• 1/8 cup dry woodear (back fungus, 木耳, available in Chinese grocery store)
• 6 pieces of Fried Gluten Puffs (油面筋, available in Chinese grocery store)
• 1/4 cup salty mustard green (腌雪菜, available in most Chinese grocery store, you can also easily make at home, see Salty Mustard Green).

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Steps

Prepare the Vegetables
1. Put 1/8 cup dry woodear in a bowl of water, let it rise for 30 minutes (depending on the varieties, some might take longer to rise completely, prepare one night before if needed). Clean the woodear, drain, it will be 1 cup size. Cut into thin slices.

2. Put 1/2 lb. soy bean sprout in a cleaning bowl, fill with water, drain, repeat for 2 times more.

3. Use a small pot, add 1/4 cup of water, boil. Cut 6 pieces fried gluten puffs into half, add to the boiling water, cook for 1 minutes or so or until all the puff halves absorb enough water and become soft. turn the heat off, set aside.

4. Take 1/4 oyster mushroom, rinse briefly with water, cut into thin slices.

Stir Fry the Vegetables
5. Heat wok (high heat) with 3 tablespoon vegetable oil, add the salty mustard green, stir fry for 1 minute.
6. Add  the1/2 lb. soybean sprout, stir fry for 2 minutes.
7. Add the woodear and oyster mushroom slices, stir fry for 1 minute.
8. Add the cooked fried gluten puff, add a pinch of salt if needed (the salty mustard green might have enough salt).
9. Add a few drops of sesame oil, stir fry all ingredients evenly for 1-2 minutes or until everything is fully cooked.

Tip:
Place the cooked vegetable in a large plate or bowl, let it cool down, then place in fridge, it will be a great summer  dish.