Chinese yu choy, also known as choy sum or you cai, is a delightful leafy green vegetable. With its sweet and fresh taste, it is a popular choice in Chinese cuisine. While Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce is more common, yu choy offers a unique flavor that deserves attention.
If you’ve ever been to a dim sum house, you might have seen this vibrant vegetable lightly blanched and served with oyster sauce. It not only adds a refreshing touch to your meal but also provides a guilt-free option. After indulging in all the dim sum delights, a plate of neatly cut yu choy drizzled with oyster sauce is like a breath of fresh air.
The best part? Making this dish at home is incredibly easy. Rather than relying on the usual broccoli or peas, you can quickly whip up a healthy and delicious side dish by boiling yu choy. It’s a perfect addition to any meal, especially for those who are determined to stick to their New Year’s resolutions.
Choy Sum Recipe Instructions
To begin, ensure your yu choy is thoroughly washed. We recommend washing it three times to remove any hidden dirt or sand. For more detailed steps on how to clean leafy green vegetables like yu choy, you can refer to our Chinese leafy green vegetables page.
Once your yu choy is cleaned and draining in a colander, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, heat a tablespoon of oil in a small saucepan over low heat for about 30 seconds. Stir in the oyster sauce (or vegetarian oyster sauce), light soy sauce, sesame oil, and white pepper. Let the mixture come to a simmer, then turn off the heat and set aside.
Now, it’s time to blanch the yu choy. Add another tablespoon of oil to the boiling water and carefully place the yu choy in the pot. Gently stir the vegetables, and you’ll notice them turning a lovely shade of dark green. The blanching process only takes about 30 seconds, but if you prefer your vegetables to be more tender or have thick stems, you can cook them for a bit longer, up to a minute. If you’re unsure, you can always taste a piece, just like you would when cooking pasta.
Once the yu choy is ready, use tongs or chopsticks to remove them from the pot and arrange them lengthwise on a dish. Be sure to pour off any excess water that may have accumulated on the platter, as it could make your sauce watery. If the vegetables are long, you can cut them in half with kitchen scissors, or you can leave them as is. Finally, pour the warm sauce over the vegetables and serve!
Enjoy the vibrant flavors and nutritious goodness of this easy Chinese yu choy sum dish. For more fantastic recipes and culinary inspiration, visit Ekilove. Happy cooking!
