Korean Chap Chae Vegetarian Recipes

KOREAN-STYLE NOODLES WITH VEGETABLES (CHAP CHAE)

Steps:

• Soak noodles in a bowl of warm water to cover until softened, about 10 minutes, then drain in a colander. Cook noodles in a 3- to 4-quart pot of boiling water until tender, about 2 minutes, then drain in a colander and rinse under cold water until cool.
• Blend tamari, sesame oil, sugar, and garlic in a blender until smooth.
• Heat safflower oil in a deep 12-inch heavy skillet over high heat until it just begins to smoke, then stir-fry onion and carrots until onion is softened, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and stir-fry until softened, about 3 minutes. Add spinach and stir-fry 30 seconds, then add noodles and tamari mixture and toss to coat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of liquid is absorbed, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a shallow serving dish and serve warm or at room temperature.
• Chap chae can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.

KOREAN CHAP CHAE (VEGETARIAN)

Steps:

• Soak Chinese mushrooms in 1 cup hot water for 20 minutes.
• When they have softened, cut off the hard stems and slice the caps fine.
• Drop spinach into 10 cups of boiling water and boil rapidly for 2 minutes. Drain, run under cold water then squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
• Peel carrot, cut into 3 sections and then into fine julienne strips.
• Wipe off the fresh mushrooms and break off their stems. Cut the caps into very fine slices. Cut the nonwoody part of the stems into matchstick pieces.
• Cut away and discard the curly, tender part of the cabbage leaves. Save only the V-shaped core of the leaves and cut this into julienne strips.
• Cut the scallions into 2 1/2 inch sections and quarter the section with the bulb lengthwise.
• Combine the Chinese mushrooms, spinach, carrot, zucchini, mushrooms, cabbage, and scallions in a bowl. Mix well, separating all the spinach leaves.
• Heat the vegetable oil and the sesame oil in a wok over a medium-high flame. When hot, put in the garlic and stir-fry for 10 seconds.
• Add all the vegetables in the bowl. Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes or until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
• Turn the heat to low, and add the drained noodles, soy sauce, and salt. Stir well, distributing the noodles evenly, and cook 2 to 3 minutes.
• Season to taste.

VEGETARIAN JAP CHAE (KOREAN GLASS NOODLE STIR-FRY)

Steps:

• Boil one bundle of noodles for 5 minutes until softened and al dente in texture. Drain the noodles but do not rinse. Add noodles to a large bowl and cut them three times with kitchen scissors.
• Add 2 tablespoons EACH of soy sauce and sesame seed oil. Toss noodles until sauce is evenly distributed and set aside.
• Using the same pot as the noodles, add enough water to boil spinach for 1 minute. Remove spinach from water and allow to cool just enough to squeeze as much water out as possible. Cut spinach in thirds, and rub 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and a pinch of salt and a grind of pepper into the spinach. Add spinach to the noodle filled bowl.
• Heat a wok or large frying pan on high. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil and cook sliced onions for 2 minutes stirring them as they start to turn translucent. Season with a 1/2 teaspoon of sesame oil and a pinch of salt and a grind of pepper.
• Add onions to the bowl of noodles. Repeat the same process as the onions except reduce cooking times to 30 seconds for the carrots, 2 minutes for the bell red pepper, 1 minute for the shiitake mushrooms, and 10 seconds for the green onions. Fry tofu squares for 1 minute per side; but do not add tofu to the large bowl of noodles.
• Add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and ½ teaspoon of ground pepper to the noodle bowl and toss everything until well mixed.
• Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the hot wok or skillet and add minced garlic. Allow garlic to cook for a few seconds and add the entire bowl of mixed noodles and vegetables to the wok(or pan).
• Stir-fry everything for 2-3 minutes and turn off heat. Gently add tofu and transfer noodles to a large serving platter.
• Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top.
• Serve warm or cold. Enjoy!.