Most Boring Dish Ever

Aiya...why wanna blog about taugeh and taukwa? tsk...tsk...tsk... For nostalgia lah, OK? I want to tell you my grandmother story from 37 years ago. So for illustration purposes I have to fry up a batch of Beansprouts with Tofu and Chives. 

You may have recalled my phobia for beansprouts when I was a kid. And at the time, I also did not like tofu. I used to spend Fridays at my uncle's house. Friday is a weekend in Terengganu and I used to attend art class with my cousins. After class, my uncle and auntie would fetch us and take us to lunch in town. Thereafter, I would spend the afternoon at their house before being sent home to my grandparents after dinner.

I enjoy my beansprouts, tails and all.

One Friday, my uncle and auntie had something on and we kids had to have lunch at home. My uncle's helper did the cooking and when lunch was served, lo and behold, there was a plate of beansprouts fried with tofu and chives. 

Needless to say, I was not too thrilled with the menu of the day. I cannot remember what the other dish was (omelette?) as the horrible beansprouts made a big impression in my little head. Not one to be rude, I sat down and finished my small helping of rice.

My uncle sent me home at around 3pm and the first thing I did was regale my grandma with what I had for lunch. I was still hungry and grandma being grandma, whipped out the dishes she had cooked for lunch. Grandma cooked duck soup with salted mustard greens and though I was not a duck fan then, I ate with gusto! Anything is better than beansprouts and tofu.

For many years, I could not get over that dish of beansprouts with tofu. But of course, I am now a changed person. Serve me a big plate of beansprouts and I will polish it off with gusto, tofu and all!

Beansprouts with Tofu and Chives

Recipe source : Phong Hong

Ingredients :

- Beansprouts, washed and drained (if you are like me, you will leave the tails intact hah!)

- 1 whole bulb of garlic, peeled and roughly chopped

- 2 cakes of hard tofu, cut into cubes and pan fried till brown
- some salt

- 1 tbsp fish sauce or to taste

- A small bunch of chives, chopped

Method :

1. Heat oil in wok.

2. When oil is hot, throw in garlic and salt and stir fry till fragrant and slightly brown.

3. Add beansprouts and stir fry until just cooked but still crunchy.

4. Add pan-fried tofu cubes, chives and fish sauce. Toss to mix.

5. Serve immediately.