Kailan - Gai Lan
Kai-lan (also written as gai-lan) is the Cantonese name for a vegetable that is also known as Chinese broccoli or Chinese kale. It is a leaf vegetable featuring thick, flat, glossy blue-green leaves with thick stems and a small number of tiny flower heads similar to those of broccoli. Broccoli and kai-lan belong to the same species Brassica oleracea, but kai-lan is in the group alboglabra [Latin albus+glabrus white and hairless]. Its flavor is very similar to that of broccoli, but slightly more bitter. It is also noticeably stronger.
Kai-lan is eaten widely in Chinese cuisine, and especially in Cantonese cuisine. Common preparations include kai-lan stir-fried with ginger and garlic, and boiled or steamed and served with oyster sauce. It is also common in Vietnamese cuisine, Myanmar (as ကိုက္လန္) and Thai cuisine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kai-lan
Recipe
Garlicy Ginger Miso Kailan
ingredients:
1 pound Chinese broccoli (gai lan)
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh hot chile pepper
1 tablespoon miso paste (or 2 tablespoons Miso & Easy)
2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon roasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon soy sauce
Directions:
- Trim ends of the Chinese broccoli. Line up the Chinese broccoli with the stems facing same direction. Cut the stalks in half to separate the thick stems from the leaves.
- Add 1" of water to a wok, pot or large saute pan and bring to a simmer on medium heat. Layer in the broccoli stems at the bottom of the wok and layer the leaves on top of the stems. You want the thick stems closer to the bottom of the pan so that they will cook faster. Steam for 3 minutes. Use tongs to lift the leaves to a serving plate. Check the stems to make sure they are cooked - they should be easily pierced with a fork. Plate the stems when they are done.
- Discard the remaining water in the wok and wipe dry with a towel. Return wok to the stove and add in the cooking oil and ginger, garlic and chile pepper. Turn the heat to medium-low. Once the oil in the wok begins shimmering, cook for another 15 seconds (take care not to burn the aromatics). Stir in the miso water, soy sauce and sesame oil and cook another 15 seconds. Pour sauce over the Chinese broccoli.