Buddha's Delight

Buddha's Delight Recipe - Vegetarian Chinese Dish

Region / culture: China | Preparation time: 45 minutes | Cooking time: 25 minutes | Servings: 4 |

Vegetarian diet

Introduction

Buddha's Delight is a popular vegetarian dish in Chinese cuisine, known for its colorful array of vegetables and tofu in a savory sauce. This dish is not only delicious but also healthy, making it a great option for those looking for a meatless meal.

History

Buddha's Delight has a long history in Chinese cuisine and is traditionally served during the Lunar New Year as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. The dish is believed to have originated in Buddhist monasteries, where vegetarian meals were common. Over time, it has become a staple in Chinese vegetarian cooking and is enjoyed by many around the world.

Ingredients

8 Chinese dried mushrooms
2 oz (57 g) dried bean thread noodles, broken into 4-inch pieces
1.5 tbsp vegetable oil
3 scallions (white and light green parts), cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small clove garlic, minced
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 medium carrot, thinly sliced on diagonal
0.5 cup canned sliced water chestnuts
0.5 cup canned bamboo shoots, julienned
15 oz (425 g) can baby corn, drained
8 oz (227 g) snow peas, strings removed
8 oz (227 g) Chinese (napa) cabbage (0.25 small head), cut into 2 x 1-inch pieces
8 oz (227 g) firm tofu, drained and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tbsp soy sauce
0.67 cup vegetable broth

Sauce

2 tsp dark sesame oil
1.5 tsp sugar
0.5 tsp salt
0.25 tsp ground white pepper

How to prepare

Sauce

In a small bowl, mix all sauce ingredients.
Set aside.

Vegetables

In a medium bowl, soak mushrooms in 0.5 cup of cold water until softened, about 30 minutes.
In another bowl, soak noodles in hot (not boiling) water to cover for 5 minutes.
Drain mushrooms and squeeze dry (reserve soaking water to use in soups).
Cut off and discard stems; thinly slice caps and set aside.
Drain noodles and set aside.
In a wok or large deep skillet, heat vegetable oil over high heat.
Add mushrooms, scallions, garlic, and ginger and stir-fry for 1 minute.
Add carrot, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, baby corn, snow peas, and cabbage and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
Add sauce, cover, and cook for 5 minutes.
Gently stir in noodles and tofu until well coated.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until most of the sauce is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
Serve at once.

Variations

Feel free to customize this recipe by adding your favorite vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, or mushrooms. You can also adjust the seasonings to suit your taste preferences, adding more spice or sweetness as desired.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

To enhance the flavors of Buddha's Delight, be sure to use fresh and high-quality ingredients. Stir-frying the vegetables quickly over high heat helps to retain their crispness and vibrant colors. Adjust the seasonings to suit your taste preferences, adding more soy sauce or spices as needed.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Buddha's Delight with steamed rice or quinoa for a complete meal. Garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro for added flavor and freshness.

Cooking Techniques

Stir-frying is the primary cooking technique used in this recipe, which helps to retain the crispness and flavors of the vegetables. Be sure to cook the ingredients quickly over high heat to prevent them from becoming soggy.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have Chinese dried mushrooms, you can use fresh mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms instead. You can also substitute the bean thread noodles with rice noodles or soba noodles.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the vegetables and sauce ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until ready to cook. This dish is best served fresh, so be sure to stir-fry the ingredients just before serving.

Presentation Ideas

For a visually appealing presentation, arrange the colorful vegetables and tofu neatly on a serving platter. Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped peanuts for added texture and flavor.

Pairing Recommendations

Buddha's Delight pairs well with a light and refreshing beverage such as green tea or a fruity white wine. You can also serve it with a side of pickled vegetables or kimchi for added tanginess.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Leftover Buddha's Delight can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, simply stir-fry the dish in a pan over medium heat until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Buddha's Delight contains approximately 250-300 calories, making it a light and satisfying meal option.

Carbohydrates

Buddha's Delight is a carb-rich dish due to the inclusion of noodles, vegetables, and tofu. Carbohydrates provide energy for the body and are essential for overall health.

Fats

The vegetable oil used in this recipe provides healthy fats that are important for brain function and cell growth. Be mindful of portion sizes to keep fat intake in check.

Proteins

Tofu is a rich source of plant-based protein in Buddha's Delight, making it a nutritious option for vegetarians and vegans. Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth.

Vitamins and minerals

This dish is packed with vitamins and minerals from the variety of vegetables used. Snow peas, cabbage, carrots, and mushrooms are all rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like potassium and iron.

Alergens

This recipe contains soy and wheat (from the soy sauce and noodles), which may be allergens for some individuals. Be sure to check for any food allergies before preparing this dish.

Summary

Buddha's Delight is a nutritious and well-balanced dish that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It is a great option for those looking to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diet.

Summary

Buddha's Delight is a delicious and nutritious vegetarian dish that is easy to prepare and full of flavor. With a colorful array of vegetables, tofu, and noodles, this dish is sure to satisfy your taste buds and nourish your body. Enjoy this traditional Chinese recipe as a healthy and satisfying meal option.

How did I get this recipe?

The memory of discovering this recipe for the first time is a cherished one. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl living in a small village in China. I was always fascinated by the delicious smells that wafted out of the kitchens of the older women in the village, and I longed to learn their culinary secrets.

One day, while walking through the market, I stumbled upon a group of women gathered around a stall selling fresh vegetables. They were chattering excitedly, discussing a recipe that one of them had learned from a traveling monk. They called it Buddha's Delight, a vegetarian dish that was said to bring good luck and prosperity to those who ate it.

Intrigued, I edged closer to the group and listened intently as the woman shared the ingredients and method for making this mysterious dish. It sounded simple enough - a mix of fresh vegetables, tofu, and mushrooms, stir-fried in a fragrant sauce made from soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.

I couldn't wait to try it for myself, so I hurried back home to my tiny kitchen and set to work. I gathered all the ingredients I needed and carefully chopped and sliced them, just as the woman had described. The scent of ginger and garlic filled the air as I sautéed the vegetables and tofu in my wok, and I felt a sense of excitement and anticipation building inside me.

When the dish was finally ready, I served myself a generous portion and took a hesitant bite. The flavors exploded in my mouth - savory, umami, and just a hint of sweetness from the vegetables. It was unlike anything I had ever tasted before, and I knew in that moment that I had discovered something truly special.

From that day on, Buddha's Delight became a staple in my kitchen. I made it for my family and friends, and they all raved about how delicious it was. I even shared the recipe with some of the other women in the village, and soon it became a popular dish that was enjoyed by everyone.

As the years passed, I continued to make Buddha's Delight, refining the recipe and adding my own twist to it. I experimented with different vegetables and seasonings, always striving to create the perfect balance of flavors and textures. And with each batch I made, I felt a sense of pride and satisfaction in knowing that I had learned something truly special.

Now, as I sit here in my kitchen, surrounded by the familiar smells and sounds of cooking, I think back to that day in the market when I first discovered Buddha's Delight. It may seem like just a simple recipe, but to me, it represents so much more - a connection to my past, a love of cooking, and a sense of community and sharing.

I am grateful for the opportunity to learn this recipe and to pass it down to future generations. And as I take another bite of the delicious dish that has brought me so much joy over the years, I can't help but feel thankful for the simple pleasures that food can bring into our lives. Buddha's Delight may be just a dish, but to me, it is a symbol of love, tradition, and the power of a shared meal.