FERMENTED BLACK BEANS
Fermented Black Beans, are basically soybeans that have been fermented and salted, they are not the black beans you find in Latin-American and Caribbean cooking. They're actually the same soybeans used to make miso, tofu, and soy sauce, made in a two-part process of fermenting
and salting the soybeans. Other spices such as chilies and/or wine and possibly ginger may be sometimes be added. The flavor is sharp, pungent, salty and somewhat bittersweet. They are also called Fermented black soybeans, Chinese black beans, Salted black beans, Salty black beans, or just "Black beans". Fermented black beans are a very popular flavoring in the cuisine of China, where they are most widely used for making black bean sauce. The beans are usually sold in plastic bags in the Asian section of your local supermarket. At home, The beans will last for several months, just remove the beans from the package and store in a sealed container in a cool, dark place. Fermented black beans are often rinsed before being used in cooking; or they may impart too much of a salty flavor to the dish, and are frequently paired with other strong seasonings, such as garlic and chilies, because of their pungent flavor. Popular in Chinese cooking; you’ll find them in dishes such as Mapo Tofu and Chicken in Black Bean Sauce. |
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
1. In a bowl, mix the soy sauce, rice wine or dry sherry, salt, sugar, sesame oil and cornflour together with the chicken.
2. Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat until it is hot. Add in the groundnut oil, and when it is very hot and slightly smoking, add in the chicken. Stir-fry for 2 minutes. 3. Add the ginger, garlic, shallots, 1½ tbsp of spring onions and black beans and stir-fry for 2 minutes. 4. Add in the stock. Bring the mixture to the boil and then reduce the heat. 5. Cover the wok or pan and simmer for 3 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Sprinkle with the remaining spring onion before serving. This dish can be cooked ahead of time and re-heated, and it is also delicious served cold. |
KITCHEN QUICKIE
SPARE RIBS IN BLACK BEAN GARLIC SAUCE
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WHAT ARE SHALLOTS?
BLACK BEAN SALMON
Only three ingredients, but it tastes like fifty. The black bean & garlic sauce is available in the Asian aisle at any supermarket.
Look for the Lee Kum Kee brand.
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BEEF IN BLACK BEAN SAUCE
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ANDREW ZIMMERN'S
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CHEF NIALL HARBISON'S
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