2980. STEAMED BACON and TARO ROOT in PRESERVED BEAN SAUCE

750 grams fresh bacon with skin
750 grams taro root, peeled and cut into thin, 6x8cm slices
2 tablespoons soy sauce
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 squares fermented bean curd
2 stalks spring onions

Blended:
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons water
1/2 teaspoon salt
250 grams spinach, cut into 10cm lengths
cooking oil for deep-frying

Seasoning Ingredients:
11/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt

Place bacon in a pot and add enough water to cover. Cook over medium heat, 30 minutes. Drain and dry. Discard liquid. Lightly prick skin and rub soy sauce all over meat. Heat oil and rinse in cold water. Skin side downwards, over medium heat for 3 minutes, till golden brown. Drain and rinse in cold water. Cut into slices, the same size as taro slices. Reheat oil and deep-fry taro slices till golden brown. Drain. Drain off all but 4 tablespoons oil in pan. Reserve 3 tablespoons of the used oil. Reheat and stir-fry garlic and fermented bean curd till fragrant. Add seasoning ingredients and bring to the boil. Cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Alternately arrange bacon and taro slices (skin side downwards) in a heatproof bowl just large enough to contain them. Pour in boiled seasoning ingredients and place spring onions over. Steam over high heat, 11/2 hours. Carefully drain and reserve the soup. Invert steamed bacon and taro slices onto serving plate.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Asian Food Recipes