After reading TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA two years ago, I became a big Jules Verne fan. I made a menu for that book here on the blog not long after reading it, and I made one for JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH last year. Today I’m continuing my culinary journey through the works of Verne with a menu inspired by THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND!
As the title suggests, the book is one part survival story, one part mystery. In it, a group of castaways build a life for themselves on a deserted island . . . which may not be as deserted as it seems. I won’t spoil the twist, but needless to say, I had lots of fun reading it!
Today’s recipe is inspired by the bamboo the castaways find on the island, which one of the group says are eaten like asparagus in India. I found a few recipes online for Indian-style asparagus stir fry from The Picky Eater Blog, Piping Hot Curry, and Ministry of Curry and merged them together to make a bamboo version. The final recipe has a strong citrus presence, which is complemented by a touch of green chili heat and warm spices. Enjoy!
A
Bamboo Stir Fry
“But I can tell you, if you are ignorant of it, that in India these bamboos are eaten like asparagus.”
“Asparagus thirty feet high!” exclaimed the sailor. “And are they good?”
“Excellent,” replied Herbert. “Only it is not the stems of thirty feet high which are eaten, but the young shoots.”
“Perfect, my boy, perfect!” replied Pencroft.
— The Mysterious Island
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 Tbsp gram flour, optional
- 1 Tbsp oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp ground coriander
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 8-oz can sliced bamboo shoots, drained
- 2 oz (half a can) diced green chilis
- zest and juice of half a lemon
- 1 Tbsp chopped cilantro, for garnish
Makes 1 heaping cup bamboo stir fry
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Add gram flour to a dry saute pan over medium-low heat. Toast for 2 minutes, stirring continuously, until it is lightly browned and releases a nutty aroma. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
- Add oil the pan. When the oil is hot, add the garlic, cumin, coriander, ginger, and salt. Cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously.
- Increase heat to medium and stir in the bamboo, chilis, and lemon zest. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring regularly. Add lemon juice and stir, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan. Add the gram flour 1 tsp at a time, stirring well after each addition. Cook 2 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Add more salt if needed.
- Divide evenly between 2 serving plates and top with cilantro.
- Serve to to the castaways after a long day of working to survive on the Mysterious Island.
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