This balanced dish consists of crunchy and potato-like arrowhead roots braised in a thick, savory sauce, Chinese pork belly, and refreshing Chinese celery. It's the only way my family prepares arrowhead roots!
Peel the arrowhead roots. I like to do this by first using the sprout as a handle, then peeling all around it. Then snap off the sprout, and peel the area that connected the sprout to the body. Rinse under water to remove any additional dirt.
1 lb arrowhead roots
Using the side of a knife, smack each arrowhead root until it breaks into 2-3 pieces with craggly edges. These edges create more surface area to hold onto the sauce better.
Peel the garlic cloves. Give each a light smash with the side of your knife. Alternatively, mince the garlic.
3 cloves garlic
Slice the Chinese cured pork belly into 1/8th or 1/4th of an inch thick.
2 oz Chinese cured pork belly
Wash and slice the celery stalks into 2-3 inch long pieces.
3 stalks Chinese celery
Cook the arrowhead root
Heat a pan on medium-low heat, and add neutral oil. Once the oil is warm, add the garlic and Chinese cured pork belly. Stir fry for 2 mins or until the garlic is golden, and some fat from the pork belly has rendered.
1 tbsp neutral oil
Add the soybean paste and oyster sauce. Stir-fry for 1-2 mins to release their flavors.
2 tbsp Chinese soybean paste, 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce
Add the arrowhead roots, and stir-fry for another minute.
Add the water and sugar to the pan. Bring it up to a simmer, then cover the pan with a lid to let cook for 5 minutes, or until the arrowhead roots have softened slightly.
2 cups water, 1 inch piece Chinese slab sugar
Remove the lid, and simmer for another 3-5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened slightly. The texture of the arrowhead roots should be slightly crunchy, but cooked through to the center (similar to a potato with a crunchy exterior).
Season with salt to taste. Finish with the celery and sesame oil. We want to maintain the crunchiness of the celery, so just give it a quick stir, and remove from the heat. Enjoy!