240 minutes
Celebrate with this exquisite Hakka Harmony Bowl, a multi-layered tapestry of flavors, also known as poon choi or gau dai guai, showcasing a bounty of cherished Hakka ingredients. A culinary mosaic, this dish combines succulent roasted meats, tender seafood, and a variety of textures from mushrooms to bean threads, all steeped together to create a harmonious blend that's perfect for gatherings.
Long-Cooked Pork Belly, Prepared
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Barbecued Pork, Half recipe, sliced
0 lb
Baked Duck Breasts, 2 recipes, sliced
0 lb
Braised Mushrooms In Oyster Sauce, Prepared
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Six-Flavor Chicken, Prepared
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Poached Shrimp, Prepared
0 recipe
Simmered Bean Curd Sticks, Prepared
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Water-Blanched Choi Sum, Prepared
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Oil-Blanched Sea Scallops, Prepared
0 recipe
Stir-fried Eggs With Bean Threads, Prepared
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Lotus Roots, Sliced ¼-inch thick
0 lb
cups
1. Prepare in Advance
Prepare the Long-Cooked Pork Belly, Barbecued Pork, Baked Duck Breasts, Braised Mushrooms in Oyster Sauce, Six-Flavor Chicken, Poached Shrimp, Simmered Bean Curd Sticks, Water-Blanched Choi Sum, Oil-Blanched Sea Scallops, and Stir-fried Eggs with Bean Threads as per their respective recipes. Make sure to follow the suggested time frames for each component to ensure freshness and optimal flavor.
2. Assembling the Harmony Bowl
Bring all prepared ingredients to room temperature. Arrange lotus root slices at the bottom of a large bowl to form a ½-inch layer. Build the bowl with pork belly first, followed by duck breast, bean curd sticks, and barbecued pork, creating four distinct layers. Add layers of braised mushrooms, and in order of preparation, add the remaining ingredients. Gently pour chicken stock until it reaches 1 inch from the rim. Tent the bowl with foil and heat over medium-low for approximately 2 hours, replenishing stock as needed to maintain the level.
3. Serve Steaming
Present the Hakka Harmony Bowl hot and ready for a communal feast. Enjoy the multi-layered tapestry of flavors with friends and family.
4. Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Individual components may also be enjoyed separately or repurposed into a stir-fry or soup to relish the flavors anew.
With nine precious flavors, each component in the bowl must be of the highest quality. Seek out fresh, local produce, and use the best quality proteins you can afford. This will make a significant difference in the overall taste and harmony of the dish.
Before you start cooking, prep all your ingredients. This means washing, chopping, marinating, and organizing them into groups based on their cooking times. This mise en place approach ensures a smooth cooking process without the risk of overcooking or burning any component.
Start with the ingredients that take the longest to cook and end with those that require minimal cooking time. This ensures that everything is perfectly cooked and ready to be served together. Pay close attention to vegetables to avoid overcooking them – they should be vibrant and retain a slight crunch.
The harmony in Hakka Harmony Bowl comes from the delicate balance of sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami flavors. Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning with precision to achieve a harmonious flavor profile across all the layers.
The sauce unites all the components in your bowl. It's essential to taste and adjust your sauce to make sure it complements every other element in the dish. Consider thickening it slightly with a cornstarch slurry for a velvety texture that clings to your ingredients.
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