Chinese Chive And Pressed Tofu Turnover
- 2 cups unbleached flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup warm water
- 4 teaspoons canola oil
- 1 bundle cellophane noodles, soaked in hot water to soften, drained well, and finely chopped
- 4 ounces pressed tofu, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups Chinese chives, chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 large egg
- canola oil
- To prepare the dough in a food processor, put the flour and salt in the processor.
- Combine the water and oil in a measuring cup.
- Remove the feed tube and run the machine, adding liquid in a steady stream through the feed tube.
- Let the machine run for 20 to 30 seconds after a ball of dough forms; dont worry about the straggly bits.
- Transfer to a work surface.
- Or, make the dough by hand.
- Set a bowl atop a kitchen towel to prevent slippage, then put the flour and salt in the bowl.
- Make a well in the center.
- Use a wooden spoon or bamboo rice paddle to stir the flour while adding the water and oil.
- Add water by the teaspoon if the dough feels dry.
- Gather the dough and all the bits into a ball.
- Regardless of method, knead the dough, adding flour as necessary.
- Work machine-made dough for about 2 minutes and handmade dough for about 8 minutes.
- The finished dough should feel smooth and be elastic.
- Place the dough in zip-top plastic bag and seal tightly, expelling excess air.
- Let rest at room temperature for at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours.
- After resting, the dough can be used right away for the turnovers.
- Or, refrigerate it overnight and return it to room temperature before using.
- Meanwhile, make the filling.
- Combine the noodles, tofu, and chives in a bowl.
- In a smaller bowl, stir together the salt, white pepper, sugar, cornstarch, and sesame oil.
- Add the egg to the seasonings and mix well, then pour into the bowl with the noodles and tofu and combine well.
- You should have 2 packed cups.
- Set aside.
- Make the turnovers in 2 batches.
- Working with half of the dough, cut it into 4 pieces.
- Roll each piece into a ball, then smack it down to form a 3-inch-wide disk.
- Dust both sides with flour.
- Use a rolling pin to form a 61/2-inch-wide circle, sprinkling on flour as needed.
- Roll from the center to the edge, giving the dough a quarter turn after each pass.
- Dont worry if the result is not perfect.
- Maintaining a belly (a thicker area) in the center is not important here.
- For each turnover, scoop up a packed 1/4 cup of the filling and center it on a dough circle.
- Spread the filling out toward the edge closest to you, leaving a 1-inch border.
- Bring the upper edge of dough over to meet the lower edge of the dough to form a half-moon.
- Gently pat the turnover to evenly distribute the filling.
- Then press the edges closed and use your thumb to seal well.
- (If the dough does not self-seal, wet the edge with a bit of water.)
- Check the other side to ensure a good seal.
- If you want an even, neat edge, invert a bowl over the rim, press, and use a knife to trim off excess dough.
- Lightly dust the bottom and put the turnover on a parchment paperlined baking sheet.
- Cover with a dishtowel to prevent drying.
- Repeat to fill and shape the remaining turnovers before working on the other half of the dough.
- (Once you get the hang of it, panfry the turnovers in pairs as you roll, fill, and seal them.)
- Pour about 1/4 cup of oil into a large nonstick skillet to film the bottom.
- Heat over medium heat.
- Panfry the turnovers in pairs for 3 to 4 minutes per side, flipping them with 2 spatulas when they are crisp and golden brown.
- They should gently hiss and sizzle while frying; adjust the heat if they dont.
- Because the turnovers rise up as the second side cooks, that side will not brown all over.
- Near the end, you can use tongs to hold each turnover upright to cook its spine.
- Drain and cool on a rack placed atop a baking sheet.
- If you want, slide the baking sheet into a warm oven to keep warm as you fry the remaining turnovers.
- Add more oil as needed and adjust the heat between each batch.
- When done frying all of the turnovers, you can make them extra crisp by refrying at high heat for 30 seconds per side.
- Cut in half or quarters and eat with chopsticks or out of hand.
- These turnovers lose some of their charm with refrigeration, so enjoy them the day they are made.
- You can prepare them several hours in advance, loosely cover them with parchment or plastic wrap, and keep them at room temperature.
- Reheat them atop the rack in a 350F oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until hot and crisp.
- They will turn a lovely golden.
flour, salt, water, canola oil, noodles, pressed, chinese chives, salt, white pepper, sugar, cornstarch, sesame oil, egg, canola oil
Taken from www.foodrepublic.com/recipes/chinese-chive-and-pressed-tofu-turnover-recipe/ (may not work)