When the braised soft-shelled turtle stew is finished cooking, it emits a rich aroma and has an enticing color. With every bite, one can savor the delicious taste and tender texture of the soft-shelled turtle, making it an intoxicating experience. This delightful dish not only satisfies the taste buds but also pays tribute to the traditional Chinese culinary artistry.
Ingredients for braised soft-shelled turtle
| Turtle | one |
| Streaky pork | 200g |
| Green onion | 8g |
| Ginger | 7g |
| Shiitake mushroom | 50g |
| Light soy sauce | 6g |
| Oyster sauce | 5g |
| Dark soy sauce | 5g |
| Beer | A bottle |
| Salt | 4g |
| Green pepper | 20g |
| Red pepper | 20g |
Steps:
1.First, we need to prepare a pot of boiling water. Place the soft-shelled turtle in it and blanch it briefly. Then, gently peel off the outer skin of the turtle by hand. This is to remove any dirt and bacteria on the surface of the turtle, ensuring it is clean and hygienic.
2.Place the prepared soft-shelled turtle on a cutting board and cut it into small pieces. The size can be adjusted according to personal preference, but generally, each piece should be similar in size to ensure consistent texture and doneness when cooking.
3.Put the sliced turtle pieces into a pot and add enough water. Bring it to a boil over high heat. Once the water boils, you will notice a lot of foam on the surface. These foam are the blood and impurities from the turtle. Use a strainer to scoop out the turtle pieces and rinse them clean. This step is to further clean the turtle, removing any blood and impurities for a refreshing and delicious taste.
4.Discard the water in the pot and add an appropriate amount of oil. Heat it until it reaches 70% hot and add the diced pork belly. Stir-fry slowly over medium-low heat until fragrant. Add the green onion and ginger slices to the pot and stir-fry.
Tips
1.Choose fresh and high-quality softshell turtle: Select a softshell turtle with a large body, smooth skin, and no strange odor. Fresh softshell turtle will have a better flavor and texture.
2.Remove the fishy smell in advance: Before cooking, you can rub the softshell turtle pieces with salt or ginger slices, then rinse them thoroughly with clean water to remove the fishy smell.
3.Control the heat: When stewing the softshell turtle, it is important to control the heat. Use low heat and simmer slowly to maintain the tender and smooth texture of the turtle, allowing the flavors to fully penetrate into the meat.
The braised softshell turtle has a rich and diverse texture, retaining the tender texture of the turtle while incorporating the savory flavor of the braising sauce. When enjoying braised softshell turtle, we can enhance the taste by pairing it with various condiments. For example, we can add some chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns to create a numbing and spicy flavor, or garnish it with chopped scallions, ginger, and garlic for a refreshing aroma.