Top Mountain Jelly Vegetable Recipes and Tea Making Guide

BEST MOUNTAIN JELLY VEGETABLE RECIPES FOR DAILY MEAL

Mountain jelly vegetable, also known as celtuce or gong cai, is a healthy cooking ingredient. Besides, you can use dried vegetables to make tea for health improvement and treatments. Check out the top mountain jelly vegetable recipes here. You can also learn how to make tea from the dried leaves of this vegetable. 

BEST MOUNTAIN JELLY VEGETABLE RECIPES FOR DAILY MEAL

I. Basic Mountain Jelly Vegetable Recipes

Celtuce, also known as rau tien vua, has edible stems. It can be the star of the salad, stir-fried vegetable dish, and many other recipes. Here are the top three basic and simple recipes for this dish.

1.1. Mountain jelly vegetable salad

Prepare the following ingredients first.

• 1 medium-sized celtuce
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 olive oil cup
• 2 tbsp of lemon juice
• Salt and pepper

Follow these steps to make a healthy salad from mountain jelly vegetables. 

1. Peel the outer layer of the celtuce until you reach the tender inner core. Slice it into thin rounds.
2. Combine the sliced celtuce, carrots, cucumber, and parsley in a big bowl.
3. In another bowl, thoroughly mix the lemon juice and olive oil. Then, add flavor to the food with salt and pepper.
4. Mix the salad with the well-combined dressing. Serve chilled.

1.2. Stir-Fried Celtuce

Here are all ingredients you have to prepare. 

• 1 medium-sized mountain jelly vegetable
• 1 tbsp of cooking oil
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp of minced ginger
• 1 tbsp of soy sauce 
• 1/4 chicken broth cup
• Pepper and salt as desired

Then, see how to prepare it here. 

1. Cut the mountain jelly vegetable into bite-sized pieces.
2. Heat the cooking oil over high heat.
3. Stir-fry the processed ginger and garlic in the heated oil for 30 seconds.
4. Add the celtuce to the wok and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until it wilts.
5. Pour the soy sauce and chicken broth in. Stir-fry for another minute until vegetable stems absorb the liquid.
6. Add flavor to the dish with pepper and salt. Serve hot.

1.3. Celtuce Chips

Firstly, you have to prepare three main ingredients for this dish.

• 1 medium-sized celtuce
• 1 tbsp of olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Then, learn how to cook it below. 

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Slice the celtuce into thin rounds.
3. Coat all pieces of celtuce stems with olive oil and seasonings evenly.
4. Spread a layer of the sliced celtuce stems on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Take them out when they turn crispy and golden brown.
6. Serve hot as a snack or appetizer.

II. Mountain Jelly Vegetable As Supporter

You can cook this vegetable as a support for some kinds of meat. 

2.1. Celtuce and Beef Stir-Fry

The following ingredients are the main ingredients for this dish.

• 1 medium-sized celtuce
• 1/2 pound beef sirloin, sliced thinly against the grain
• 2 tbsp of cooking oil
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp of ginger, grated
• 1/4 cup of soy sauce
• 1 tbsp of oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp of cornstarch
• Salt and pepper for better flavor

You can start cooking by following these steps. 

1. Cut the mountain jelly vegetable into bite-sized pieces.
2. Mix the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch in a bowl until well combined.
3. Season beef with salt and pepper.
4. Preheat the oil in a pan.
5. Stir-fry the minced garlic and grated ginger in hot oil for 30 seconds.
6. Then, put the beef in and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until all its sides turn brown.
7. Add the celtuce to the wok and continue stir-frying for another minute.
8. Pour in the soy sauce mixture and stir-fry for another minute until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and celtuce.
9. Serve hot over rice.

2.2. Celtuce and Pork Belly Stew

Here is the list of ingredients you should prepare.

• 1 medium-sized mountain jelly vegetable
• 1/2 pound pork belly, diced
• 2 tbsp of cooking oil
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp of ginger, grated
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 1 tbsp of soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Then, follow these steps to cook a yummy stew with mountain jelly vegetables. 

1. Cut the celtuce into bite-sized pieces.
2. Heat the cooking oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat.
3. Add the diced pork belly to the hot oil and cook until browned on all sides.
4. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pot and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for half an hour until the pork belly is tender.
6. Add the celtuce to the pot and continue to simmer for another 5-10 minutes.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve hot over rice.

2.3. Celtuce and Chicken Skewers

Here are all ingredients for chicken skewers with mountain jelly vegetables. 

• 1 medium-sized celtuce
• 1 pound skinless and boneless chicken breast cubes
• 2 tbsp of olive oil
• 2 minced garlic cloves 
• 1 tsp of paprika
• 1/2 tsp of cumin
• Salt and pepper as seasonings

Then, cook chicken and mountain jelly vegetables by following the instructions below.

1. Cut the celtuce into bite-sized pieces.
2. Mix the olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Add the cubed chicken to the bowl and toss to coat with the marinade.
4. Preheat a grill or pan.
5. Thread the chicken and celtuce onto skewers.
6. Grill the skewers for 10-12 minutes, flipping occasionally, until you get well-cooked chicken and vegetables.
7. Serve hot

III. Dried Mountain Jelly Vegetable Tea

Many people often waste celtuce leaves as they think they cannot cook with them. However, you can dry its leaves to make herbal tea and enjoy mountain jelly vegetable benefits. 

3.1. How to make mountain jelly tea

To dry celtuce leaves for tea, follow these steps:

1. Harvest fresh leaves from your gong cai garden or purchase them from a local farmer's market.
2. Rinse the leaves thoroughly to remove contamination.
3. Pat the leaves dry with a towel or paper towels to absorb excess moisture.
4. Preheat your oven to 180°F (82°C).
5. Spread the gong cai leaves on a baking sheet and avoid overlapping them.
6. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Ensure air circulation with a slightly opened door.
7. Let the celtuce leaves dry in the oven for 2-4 hours. Check the leaves periodically to avoid burning or over-drying.
8. Take dry and crumbly celtuce leaves out and let them cool down.
9. Store the dried celtuce leaves in an airtight container or jar in a cool dark place until you're ready to use them for tea.

You can also sun-dry mountain jelly vegetable leaves instead of using an oven. Spread the leaves out on a clean surface under direct sunlight and leave them to dry for several days. Bring the leaves indoors at night or if there is rain.

3.2. How to use mountain jelly tea

You will need dried celtuce leaves, water, and the following equipment.

• Teapot or saucepan
• Strainer or tea infuser
• Cup(s) for serving

Here are the steps to make dried mountain jelly vegetable tea:

1. Rinse the dried celtuce leaves under running water to remove dirt or debris.
2. Boil water in a teapot or saucepan.
3. Add the dried celtuce leaves to the boiling water.
4. Let the celtuce steep in the boiling water for 5-10 minutes. You can adjust the steeping time depending on your preference for the strength of the tea.
5. Remove the pot from heat and strain the celtuce tea into a cup using a strainer or tea infuser.
6. Discard the solids and enjoy your hot celtuce tea.

You can also add sweeteners like honey or sugar if you prefer a sweeter taste. Let the tea cool down and serve it over ice for a refreshing cold celtuce tea.

VI. Conclusion

Those are the best mountain jelly vegetable recipes. Its stem is edible. Besides, you can use its leaves to make herbal tea. You can buy dried mountain jelly vegetables from The Rike to cook delicious dishes for your family. This vegetable retailer provides customers with guaranteed quality and the best services.