Vegetarian Red Yeast Rice Char Siew [Ang Chow Char Siew]

This is actually mock char siew flavoured with red yeast rice residum, nam yee and sweetened with gula melaka. Very different from the normal store bought vegetarian char siew which I think uses some red colouring.

Surprisingly good.  My niece loved it.  My hubby thought it was store bought, started tasting it after I told him it's not colouring but 'Ang Chow'.

Ingredients

[serves 5-6]

300 gm wet gluten balls [mee keen] - tear or cut strips

2 tsp sesame oil

1/2 cup water

30 gm gula melaka

some toasted sesame seeds

Marinade

1 tbsp red yeast rice residum [ang chow]

1 piece red fermented beancurd - nam yee

1/2 tsp 5 spice powder

1/4 tsp pepper and vegetarian msg

salt to taste

1. Marinate gluten shreds with marinate for several hours or overnight.
2. Heat sesame in oil.  Stir fry marinated gluten shreds for several minutes.
3. Add in water, bring to boil then simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add in gula melaka and simmer until gravy is reduced and thicken.
5. Taste to adjust seasoning.  Sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds.
6. Dish out to serve.  Garnish with extra toasted sesame seeds.