Cookbook:Yu Choy
| Yu Choy | |
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| Category | Vegetables |
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Yu choy (also edible rape) is a green leafy vegetable used in Chinese and Southeast Asian cooking.[1] Younger and/or more tender varieties are often called choy sum.[2][1]
Characteristics
[edit | edit source]Yu choy consists of branching stalks with a couple broad leaves at the end of each and, sometimes, yellow flower heads. The texture when raw is somewhat crunchy, though it gets tougher as it ages.[1][2] Most varieties are green, though purple/red cultivars exist as well.[1] The flavor is grassy with a slight bitterness that, again, increases with age.[1][3]
The vegetable looks very similar to gai lan, but it is more tender and has a slightly different flavor.[4]
Seasonality
[edit | edit source]Technically, yu choy is a cooler weather vegetable, but it does tend to be available year-round.[1]
Selection and storage
[edit | edit source]Like other leafy greens, look for bright green yu choy that has no wilting, browning, blemishes, or sliminess.[1] The younger and smaller, the more tender the stems.[1] Additionally, those with more flowers may be more bitter.[1] It can be stored, unwashed, for a few days in a container in the fridge. If you want to freeze yu choy, it's best to blanch it before doing so.[1]
Use
[edit | edit source]Yu choy is popular in Cantonese cuisine, where is is often steamed or stir-fried with strong flavors.[3][4][5] Tougher stalks can be separated from the leaves and braised for longer in order to tenderize them, but don't overcook them.[1] To prepare yu choy, trim any tough parts off the stem. Particularly thick or fibrous stems can be peeled.[3]
Substitution
[edit | edit source]If you can't get your hands on yu choy, gai lan or tender bok choy will make for reasonable approximations. Rapini is also an option, though it is more bitter.[1]
Recipes
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Choy Sum - How to Choose, Use, & Cook It". diversivore. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ↑ a b "The Serious Eats Field Guide to Asian Greens". Serious Eats. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ↑ a b c "The Asian Greens Guide". Saveur. 2007-01-26. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ↑ a b Sarah (2023-09-29). "How to Grow Choy Sum / Yu Choy". The Woks of Life. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ↑ "Choy Sum". specialtyproduce.com. Retrieved 2024-04-03.