Hearty and Delicious Abura Age Pouches: A Step-by-Step Recipe
Hearty and Delicious Abura Age Pouches: A Step-by-Step Recipe
How to Make Flavorful Abura Age Pouches – Perfect for Special Occasions or Guests
I made these abura age pouches because my husband wanted them. While it was a bit of work, seeing him enjoy them so much made it all worthwhile! These are a delightful treat that everyone from kids to adults will love.
Main Ingredients- Abura age pouches 300g (approx. 50 pieces)
- Glass noodles 1 handful (approx. 50g)
- Firm tofu 1 block (approx. 300g)
- Napa cabbage 10 leaves
- Chives a handful
- Ground pork 300g
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Oyster sauce 2 Tbsp
- Salt to taste
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the frozen abura age pouches, which are readily available at most supermarkets. You can use them directly from frozen.
Step 2
This step is to remove excess oil from the abura age. You can blanch them in boiling water, but a simpler method is to pour hot water from a kettle over them to rinse off the oil. After rinsing, drain them well in a colander and set aside.
Step 3
Boil the glass noodles in water for about 10 minutes until softened. Once cooked, rinse them under cold water to remove stickiness, then finely chop them. This will improve the texture of the filling.
Step 4
Wrap the block of firm tofu in a cheesecloth or clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much water as possible. Properly draining the tofu is key to preventing the filling from becoming watery and preserving its savory flavor.
Step 5
Lightly blanch the Napa cabbage leaves in boiling water until softened. Rinse them under cold water, squeeze out the excess moisture, and then finely chop them. Blanching adds a pleasant texture and subtle sweetness.
Step 6
Take a handful of chives and briefly blanch them in boiling water. These blanched chives will be used to tie the abura age pouches. Once cooled, drain them and set aside.
Step 7
Finely chop the remaining chives. These chopped chives will be mixed into the filling to add aroma and color.
Step 8
Heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Then, add the ground pork and stir-fry, breaking it up with your spatula to prevent clumping until it’s fully cooked.
Step 9
Once the pork is cooked through, add the oyster sauce and stir to combine. This will season the filling.
Step 10
Transfer all the prepared filling ingredients (chopped glass noodles, squeezed tofu, chopped cabbage, and sautéed pork) into a large mixing bowl.
Step 11
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly. Taste the mixture and add salt if needed to adjust the seasoning. Stir in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil for a nutty aroma.
Step 12
Finally, add the chopped chives to the filling and gently mix them in. The chives will enhance the dish with their vibrant color and fresh flavor.
Step 13
Carefully make a small cut (about 1-2 cm) at the top opening of each abura age pouch. This makes it easier to fill them without tearing the pouch. Be gentle to avoid widening the cut too much.
Step 14
Don’t discard the small pieces of abura age you just cut off. Lightly squeeze out any excess moisture from these pieces, as they will be added back into the filling.
Step 15
Finely chop the removed abura age pieces. Incorporating these chopped pieces into the filling will further enhance the savory flavor.
Step 16
Add the finely chopped abura age pieces to the filling mixture and combine well. This addition makes the filling more substantial and flavorful.
Step 17
Now, carefully fill each abura age pouch with the prepared mixture. Fill them only about two-thirds full. Leave some space at the top to allow for tying with chives.
Step 18
To close the pouches, use a blanched chive strand to tie around the opening. Gently tuck the end of the chive into the pouch with a toothpick for a neat finish.
Step 19
Once assembled, place the abura age pouches in a zip-top bag or airtight container and freeze them. You can then enjoy them by thawing and either briefly boiling them or adding them to a soup or broth. Enjoy your delicious abura age pouches!
