Ingredients for He Jia Tuan Yuan (Tofu Ball Soup for Lunar Chinese New Year) recipe
1 (14 ounce) package soft tofu
7 ounces ground pork
6 tablespoons cornstarch
1 egg
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
granules (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
5 cups water
ball between your palms, and slide it carefully into the water so it
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
10 dried shrimp
1 cup fresh pea vine shoots,
trimmed
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon
granules
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions
Place the tofu into a large bowl, and mash it into a paste with a
large spoon. Stir in the pork, cornstarch, egg, 1 teaspoon chicken
bouillon granules, and 1 teaspoon salt until the mixture is very well
combined.
Heat the water and vegetable oil to a boil in a large saucepan, and
reduce heat to an active simmer but not a full boil. Using gloved
hands, pinch off about 1 tablespoon of the tofu mixture, roll it into a
doesn’t break apart. Repeat with the rest of the tofu mixture.
Without stirring the soup, let the tofu balls simmer until they rise to
the top, about 30 minutes.
Turn off the heat, and stir in the dried shrimp, pea vine shoots, 1
teaspoon of chicken bouillon granules, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Serve
hot.