Boiling brine is a process that requires patience and skill, and it is the base spice of many Chinese cuisines. Here are the simple steps and basic recipe for boiling brine for the first time::
Rock Sugar:100 grams.
Light soy sauce:500 ml.
Dark soy sauce:100 ml.
Star anise, cinnamon, grass fruit, pepper, bay leaf:Appropriate amount (about 5-10 grams) each
Ginger, garlic, green onions, shallots:Amount.
Prepare the seasoning:Prepare spices such as star anise, cinnamon, grass fruit, and peppercorns, and wash ginger, garlic, green onions, and shallots for later use.
Stir-fry spices:Put all the spices into the pot, stir-fry over low heat to bring out the fragrance, no need to put oil, dry stir-fry, take out and set aside after stir-frying.
Boil brine:
Add an appropriate amount of water to the pot, add rock sugar, turn on low heat and slowly boil until the rock sugar is completely melted.
Add light soy sauce and dark soy sauce to make the desired color, adjusting the ratio according to taste.
Put the stir-fried spices and washed ginger, garlic, green onions, and shallots into the pot, and continue to boil slowly over low heat to fully dissolve the various aromas into the brine.
Simmering time:Let the brine simmer for about 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring constantly to dissolve the seasoning evenly and release the aroma.
Filter out impurities:After boiling, the spices and vegetable residues in the brine are filtered out, leaving only a clean marinade for later use.
Heat Mastery:The heat of boiling brine should not be too high, so as not to make the brine too thick or paste the pot.
Seasoning ratio:The ratio of light soy sauce to dark soy sauce can be adjusted according to personal taste and desired use, and can be paired with other seasonings, such as sugar, cooking wine, etc.
Storage:Put the boiled brine in a clean, sealed bottle and place it in a cool, ventilated place for several weeks to months.
Usage:Brine can be used for cooking a variety of dishes such as braised meat, braised eggs, braised tofu, etc., and can also be used for the production of braised snacks.
It may take some time and practice to make a brine for the first time, but with constant trial and tweak, you'll find a brine recipe that suits your taste.