Abalone (鲍鱼) with braised mushrooms

Chinese culture is rich in traditions and superstitions especially during Chinese New Year when we look for inspirations to boost our luck and prosperity. Abalone is a popular dish for Chinese New Year even though it is one of the higher priced food item. It is considered a delicacy and the Chinese word for abalone is “Bao Yu”. “Bao” stands for assurance and “Yu” stands for surplus and eating them means an abundance of surplus wealth. Today I am cooking it with braised mushrooms accompanied by carrots and broccoli.

Abalone is a single shelled, marine intertidal snail that is considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. These sea snails cling to rocks near to shore and are often consumed by other marine species. The shell of abalone is extremely durable and has a shiny substance called mother-of-pearl inside. Abalone increases appetite, and is a health food for the liver, kidneys, eyes and immune system.

Ingredients

1 can abalone

10 Chinese mushrooms 

½ a carrot

1 medium size broccoli

Wash and soak mushrooms until soft and puffy.

Remove and trim off the stalks 

Season with:

1 tsp soy sauce

1 tsp oyster sauce

1 tsp shaoxing rice wine

½ tsp sugar

Cut the broccoli into florets

Slice the abalone and carrot

Blanch the broccoli florets in boiling water with salt and oil until almost soft

Remove the broccoli and put in the abalone

Cook for 3 minutes only or it will be tough and rubbery

Arrange the broccoli on a platter to form an outer circle

Then place the abalone in the centre

Heat up 1 tbsp cooking oil and 1 tsp sesame oil in the wok

Add 2 tbsp chopped garlic and stir fry until fragrant

Then add the mushrooms and carrot

Mix thoroughly with the oil

Mix 1 tsp corn starch with 2 tbsp water

Pour in the corn starch mixture to thicken the sauce

Mix thoroughly

Spoon the mushrooms and carrot onto the abalone

Drizzle the sauce over the abalone and broccoli

Serve immediately.