Choi Sum in Oyster Sauce with Fried Shallots and Garlic

First of all, Happy Chinese New Year!
A perfect side dish to any Chinese meal - choi sum.
Also spelt choy sum is much the same as bok choi or pak choi, they are all part of the Chinese cabbage family.



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You will need:
This is so easy, all you need is some kind of steamer. A bamboo steamer is ideal. The bamboo kind sit on a trivet over boiling water in a wok.

a bottle of oyster sauce - available in almost any ordinary supermarket
a pack of choi sum - usually there are 2 or 3 in a pack depending on their size
2 Eschalote or banana shallots - sliced thinly
2 cloves of garlic - sliced thinly
a frying pan and a little oil for frying

How to do it:
In a frying pan heat a little oil and fry the shallots until they are nice and golden brown. Just before they are done add the garlic slices. Keep them warm by leaving them in the pan till your choi sum is ready.
Heat some oyster sauce - no excact amount just enough to por over the choi sum when its cooked. Just a few seconds in the microwave, or over a very low heat in a small saucepan on the stove top will do the job.

Wash and lay your choi sum in the steamer and using a trivet, steam over boiling water in a wok. Keep at a high heat so the water is simmering and they will take about 2 or 3 minutes - depending on their size. When you can insert a knife into the bulb part easily, you will know they're done. Be careful not to over cook them though.
Lay the choi sum on a serving plate, pour over the oyster sauce and top with the fried shallots and garlic.
Serve straight away as they will go cold quite quickly.