Soya Bean Curd - Lao Ban Style (豆花 aka Tau Hway)

30th Aug 2012! It's "Make and Eat Tau Hway" day, an initiative brought forward by fellow food blogger, Alan Goh, which was a result of the Diner en Blanc controversy in Singapore. Actually I'll write about Tau Hway sooner or later too, just that this incident kinda hasten the process. Anyway, just to help spread the word, here's Dr. Leslie Tay's explanation on what had possibly happened. Although to me, I don't really care why or how it happened, there's nothing to be done. Let's just be gracious and move on! =)

In short, Tau Hway belongs to the wonderful world of weird, wobbly food (such as Jello & Konnyaku). It is basically semi-solidified Soya Bean Milk (aka Soy Milk in some countries). Like celebrity blogger Moonberry mentioned, Tau Hway is the Asian equivalent of Panna Cotta. I kinda agree with her although I'll say Tau Hway is the sibling that Panna Cotta never had. They are similar but definitely different.

Aside from the obvious differences that Tau Hway is made from Soya Bean Milk and Panna Cotta is from Heavy Cream, they have different solidifying agents as well. Traditional Tau Hway uses Gypsum as the coagulating agent while Panna Cotta uses Gelatin. Most importantly, Tau Hway is a relatively healthy dessert (never thought I'll put the word "healthy" and "dessert" together LOL) as long as not too much sugar (syrup) is added. Since it is made from Soya Bean Milk, it contains a whole load of protein yet has little calories and fat. Additionally, if it is made with Gypsum, it will contribute greatly to your daily calcium intake. On the other hand, Panna Cotta, is usually made from Heavy Cream, which are required to contain no less than 35% fat in order to be labelled as one. In another words, it's not so good for the waist and the heart. There are some recipes which suggest a lighter version substituting a portion (or even entirely) with Half & Half, but I say why comprise the taste and still take in so much fat into your system? Go lean (Tau Hway) or go mean (Panna Cotta). Hahaha.. 

Queuing for Lao Ban Dou Hua (老伴豆花) is a craze trend which started in recent years. It was last year when I first heard about it and was totally bummed out by the super loooong queue. My virgin queue was 45mins! My curiosity got the best of me or else I wouldn't have bothered. In my most honest opinion, they are softer and silkier than the traditional Tau Hway but they lack the flavours of freshly brewed Soya Bean Milk, the first thing that hit me was the strong Vitasoy (维他奶) taste. Truth to be told, it resembles more of a pudding rather than a "Tau Hway". However, I still enjoy it very much because it doesn't leave my mouth "dry" like some Tau Hway does. And most friends/families enjoy this more, so what the heck. =D

Soya Bean Curd - Lao Ban Style (makes 6 Lao Ban's containers)

(This is a modified recipe, view original recipe from chanzhf)

    80g     Instant Soya Milk Powder

    30g     Sugar *adjust accordingly, this is less sweet*

    30g     Creamer 

1400ml   Soya Milk 

    28g     Instant Jelly Powder

Optional

      8g     Vanilla Powder

           AND / OR

    60g     Oreo Cookies, crushed (without the cream) for an alternative "Cookies & Cream"

1. Combine all ingredients, except Instant Jelly Powder, into a large pot and heat over LOW flame. Whisk to combine, take care not to boil the mixture.

2. Keep the mixture simmering. Stir in the instant jelly powder and heat off. 

3. Sieve the mixture (at least 2 times) to ensure a smooth and lump-free mixture. 

4. Slowly pour the mixture into containers to avoid trapping bubbles. Remove any bubbles at the sides.

5. Let cool to about room temperature & refrigerate for 2-3 hours. Served chilled.

Now back to the issue that sparked these impromptu events. I believe with good presentation/plating and a little creativity, any food can look good enough (and delicious) for anyone to enjoy. How do you think Heston Blumenthal manages to get celebrities to eat Pigs' Tongues, Cows' Brains and Bull's Testicles? I tried to do some different plating with the Oreo Tau Hway, my "Cookies 'n Cream". They're not super nice but you get the idea. *sighs* After this matter settles down, I hope more people can see that no regardless "white" or "black", even "grey", they are food closest to someone's heart. Food is a representation of culture, we have to learn to embrace all food. And food is just an aspect of life, eventually we need to learn how to embrace each other.

Happy "Make & Eat Tau Hway" Day~!

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