Buddha’s Delight (Jai, Chinese Vegetarian Stew)

Soak the dried ingredients: Prepare the dried lily flowers, shiitake mushrooms and wood ear mushrooms: Place each ingredient in a separate medium-sized bowl and pour boiling water on top to cover by at least 1” (2.5 cm). Press the ingredients down to submerge into the water. Rehydrate for 20 minutes, until they turn soft throughout.

After the lily flowers turn soft, remove the tough ends if needed. If the lily flowers are very long, cut them in half lengthwise. Drain and set aside. Measure out 3/4 cup of the soaking water for later use.

For the shiitake mushrooms, gently squeeze the water from the mushrooms, then slice into halves. Measure out 1/4 cup of the soaking water and pour into the same bowl with the lily flower rehydrating water.

For the wood ear mushrooms, once rehydrated, cut into small bite-sized pieces.

Place the vermicelli noodles in a medium-sized bowl and add boiling water to cover. Let sit for 3 to 5 minutes (or according to the package instructions), until the noodles turn al-dente. Drain and set aside.

Mix the sauce: Combine the sauce ingredients in a medium-sized bowl, stir to mix well and set aside.

Mix the slurry: Mix the ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

To cook the stir fry: Heat the oil in a large skillet (at least 13 inches) or a large dutch oven over medium-high heat. When oil turns hot but not smoking hot, add ginger and green onion. Stir a few times until fragrant.

Add the carrot, lily flowers, and dried shiitake mushrooms. Stir and cook for 1 minute.

Add bamboo shoots and wood ear mushrooms. Stir and cook for 1 minute.

Add fried tofu and pour in the sauce. Add the napa cabbage and bok choy. Cover and cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, until the vegetables are cooked through. Uncover and stir in between, to mix the vegetables with the sauce.

Add bean thread noodles and let them soak in the liquid. Stir and cook for another 30 seconds. Stir the cornstarch slurry again to dissolve completely and pour into the pan. Stir until the sauce thickens. Transfer everything to a large platter. Serve hot as a main dish.

Spice Level:

Dietary