Q: Can I substitute beef for pork in this recipe? A: Yes, you can substitute beef for pork, but it will alter the traditional flavor of Lu Zhu.
Q: Is it necessary to use both yellow bean paste and broad bean paste? A: Yes, both pastes contribute unique flavors essential to authentic Lu Zhu.
Q: How long should I stew the pork and intestines? A: Stew them for about 40 minutes to ensure they are tender and flavorful.
Homemade Lu Zhu: A Savory Chinese Delight
Notes
Ingredients:
- Pork intestine: 1000g
- Pork belly: 200g
- Water (for stewing): 2000ml
- Onion (for frying): 50g
- Ginger slices (for frying): 7-8
- Sichuan peppercorns and star anise (for frying): a moderate amount
- Galangal (for frying): 1 piece
- Bay leaves (for frying): a few
- Cloves (for frying): a few
- Hawthorn (for frying): a small handful
- Cinnamon (for frying): 1 piece
- Chili (for frying): 1
- Chinese cooking wine (for stewing): ½ small bowl
- Yellow bean paste: 1 spoon
- Broad bean paste: 2 spoons
- Salt (for stewing): 1 large spoon
- Light soy sauce (for stewing): 20g
- Dark soy sauce (for stewing): 10g
- Unleavened dough (for flatbread): 500g
- Fried tofu (for Lu Zhu): 300g
- Fermented tofu juice: 3 spoons
- Cilantro (for sauce): a few sprigs
- Minced garlic (for sauce): to taste
- Green onions (for sauce): a few
- Chili oil (for sauce): to taste
- Clean the pork intestine and belly. Boil in cold water and skim off the foam.
- Fry the spices until fragrant and slightly charred, then pack them into a spice bag.
- Fry the yellow bean paste and broad bean paste until fragrant. Add water, Chinese cooking wine, fermented tofu juice, light soy sauce, salt, chicken essence, dark soy sauce, and the spice bag. Add pork intestine and belly, and stew for 40 minutes.
- Cut tofu into pieces and pan-fry until crispy on both sides.
- Mix flour with water to make a stiff dough. Rest for 20 minutes without adding anything else.
- Shape the dough into small flatbreads and cook until half-done.
- After 40 minutes of stewing, add tofu and flatbreads, and continue to stew for another 30 minutes.
- Once the time is up, the dish is ready.
- Cut into pieces, sprinkle with minced green onions, garlic, cilantro, and chili oil. Pour a spoonful of the stew broth over the top.
- Serve and enjoy the fragrant dish.
- High in protein from pork and tofu.
- Contains various spices and herbs that may offer anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Rich in flavors, but also high in sodium and fat; consume in moderation.
