Taiwanese-style Tapas

Ingredients

While Spanish tapas are typically served with bread or potatoes, Taiwanese-style Tapas incorporates local ingredients and flavors. The dish embraces the use of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and chili peppers, which are common in Taiwanese cuisine. Additionally, the cooking methods may vary, with stir-frying and steaming being more prevalent in Taiwanese cooking. We alse have the original recipe for Tapas, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) pork belly, sliced 500g (1.1 lb) pork belly, sliced
• 200g (7 oz) fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined 200g (7 oz) fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 200g (7 oz) squid, cleaned and sliced 200g (7 oz) squid, cleaned and sliced
• 200g (7 oz) firm tofu, cubed 200g (7 oz) firm tofu, cubed
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated
• 2 red chili peppers, sliced 2 red chili peppers, sliced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories: 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat: 25g (Saturated Fat: 8g)
• Carbohydrates: 6g (Sugars: 1g)
• Protein: 32g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sliced chili peppers. Mix well to make the marinade.
2. 2.
   Place the pork belly slices, shrimp, squid, and tofu in separate bowls. Pour the marinade over each ingredient, ensuring they are well coated. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork belly and stir-fry until cooked through and slightly crispy. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same skillet, stir-fry the shrimp and squid until cooked and tender. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
5. 5.
   Add the marinated tofu to the skillet and cook until lightly browned on all sides. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
6. 6.
   Arrange the cooked pork belly, shrimp, squid, and tofu on a serving platter. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
7. 7.
   Serve the Taiwanese-style Tapas as a shared dish, allowing everyone to enjoy the variety of flavors and textures.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pork belly — For a crispier texture, you can briefly blanch the pork belly slices in boiling water before stir-frying.
• Shrimp — To enhance the flavor, marinate the shrimp with a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon juice before adding them to the marinade.
• Squid — To prevent the squid from becoming tough, cook it quickly over high heat or blanch it in boiling water for a few seconds before stir-frying.
• Tofu — For a firmer texture, you can press the tofu between paper towels to remove excess moisture before cubing it.
• Garlic and ginger — Use fresh garlic and ginger for the best flavor. Grating them ensures they distribute evenly in the marinade.

Tips & Tricks

• Experiment with different seafood options such as clams or mussels to add variety to your Taiwanese-style Tapas.
• Adjust the spiciness by adding more or fewer chili peppers according to your preference.
• Serve the tapas with a side of steamed rice or Taiwanese-style fried rice for a complete meal.
• Garnish with sliced green onions or toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor and visual appeal.
• Feel free to add additional vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas for added freshness and crunch.

Serving advice

Serve the Taiwanese-style Tapas as a centerpiece on the dining table, allowing everyone to help themselves to the delicious assortment of flavors. Encourage guests to mix and match the different ingredients to create their own unique combinations.

Presentation advice

Arrange the cooked pork belly, shrimp, squid, and tofu in an aesthetically pleasing manner on a large platter. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a pop of color. Consider using traditional Taiwanese ceramic or bamboo serving dishes to enhance the presentation and create an authentic dining experience.