Jiu Hu Char (Stirfried Jicama with Shredded Dried Cuttlefish)

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Today's RECIPE is a compulsory dish for our Lunar New Year Reunion dinner. This dish is usually eaten wrapped like a parcel with fresh Chinese lettuce leaves. Jiu Hu Char/Stirfried Jicama with Shredded Dried Cuttlefish is fragrant with the addition of the cuttlefish. Some Peranakan/Chinese households add their favorite ingredients to this dish (prawns/pork belly/dried shrimps etc). Here is the basic version.

Recipe by Mama Ding

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Total Time | 50 mins

Prep Time | 20 mins

Cook Time | 30 mins

Servings : 4 - 6

Ingredients

  • 1 medium-sized jicama/yam bean/sengkuang/mangkuang, peeled and shredded

  • 1 medium-sized carrot, peeled and shredded

  • 100 g (1 cup) french beans, sliced thinly (optional)

  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

  • 6 shallots, peeled and sliced

  • 3 tbsp cooking oil

  • 20 g (0.7 oz) dried shredded cuttlefish, soaked in white vinegar and drained

  • 3 dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked and chopped

  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce

  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce

  • 1 tsp dark soy sauce

  • 1 cup water

  • salt and white pepper powder to taste

    Garnish ~

  • 1 stalk Chinese parsley, chopped

  • 1 sprig spring onion, chopped

  • some lettuce leaves to wrap with

Method

01 Heat the cooking oil in a wok/pan. Saute the minced garlic until lightly browned. Add the sliced shallots. Saute until golden brown. Add the dried cuttlefish shreds and stir fry for 1 min. Add the mushrooms and stir fry for 1 min.

02 Add the french beans (if using) and carrots. Stir fry for 3 mins. Then add the shredded jicama. Mix well then add the light soy sauce, oyster sauce and water.

03 Bring to the boil then lower heat to medium. Allow to simmer for 15 to 20 mins. Stir occasionally.

04 Add the dark soy sauce and mix well. Taste and then add salt and pepper.
Stir well then dish up to serve.
Garnish with some chopped parsley and spring onions.

Notes

Serve with rice or fresh lettuce leaves.
Top with some Sambal Belachan.
Yummz!!

If you can’t get hold of shredded dried cuttlefish, substitute with dried shrimps and cook Mang Kuang Char instead.

To see pictures of the ingredients used, go to the Pantry section.

Main Dish, VegetablesMama DingComment