Introducing the frozen preservation method and recipe for bamboo shoots [Explanation with photos! ]

What do you do when you have leftover bamboo shoots?

Both boiled bamboo shoots and bamboo shoots with skins can be left over without being used up.

Bamboo shoot dishes are wonderful, but I want to make just one bamboo shoot dish, or I want to have it as a snack for dinner...

Bamboo shoots can be stored for a long time if frozen.

This time, I will introduce how to freeze bamboo shoots.

Advantages of freezing bamboo shoots

Can be stored for a long time without losing its flavor

Bamboo shoots with skins are available in abundance during the season. If the skin is on, you can store it in the refrigerator for about 4 to 5 days.

In the case of refrigeration, this is the limit for the number of days, and if you leave it as is, it will become bitter and will not be as tasty.

Freezing allows for long-term storage without losing the flavor.

Can be used for small portion dishes

If you want to make a small bamboo shoot dish, rather than a menu full of bamboo shoots that uses up one bamboo shoot, it is time-consuming to process whole bamboo shoots.

However, if you divide it into small amounts and freeze it, you can use it immediately.

Frozen bamboo shoots do not require the hassle of thawing, so you can easily enjoy bamboo shoot dishes.

How to freeze bamboo shoots

There are two ways to freeze bamboo shoots: the standard method of boiling them and then preserving them, and the other method of boiling them, then sprinkling them with sugar and freezing them.

The sugar method will keep it for a longer time.

How to boil and then freeze

1. After boiling the bamboo shoots, cut them into smaller pieces by thinly slicing them, julienne them, or cutting them into other shapes.

2. Remove moisture thoroughly with paper towels, etc., and place in a freezer bag to remove air well. Then put it in the freezer.

How to sprinkle with sugar and freeze

1. Boil the bamboo shoots and cut them into small pieces in the same way as the general freezing method. Thoroughly remove moisture with paper towels.

2. Sprinkle with sugar. If you sprinkle too much, the sweetness will get in the way when cooking, so keep it to a small amount.

3. Put it in a freezer bag, remove the air well, and put it in the freezer.

How to thaw bamboo shoots and storage period

How to defrost bamboo shoots

Defrosting bamboo shoots is very easy. No matter which method you use to store it, use it for cooking without thawing it.

No special thawing method or even natural thawing is required. Just add it as is during the cooking process.

Storage period of bamboo shoots

The approximate shelf life for frozen bamboo shoots is about one month.

If you sprinkle it with sugar and store it, it will last a little longer. Some people freeze bamboo shoots and store them for six months or even a year, but this is not recommended.

In addition to losing flavor and texture, bamboo shoots often oxidize in the freezer and spoil the food.

>> 3 points to keep in mind when preserving vegetables

5 easy recipes using frozen bamboo shoots

We've put together a collection of easy recipes you can make using frozen bamboo shoots. Here are five.

Boiled Tosa of bamboo shoots

☑材料（4人分）
・冷凍たけのこ３００グラム
・しょうゆ大さじ２
・みりん大さじ３
・かつお節適量

<How to make>
1) Take out the frozen bamboo shoots, put them in a pot, and add soy sauce, mirin, and water.
2) Simmer over medium heat until the water is reduced.
3) After turning off the heat, add the bonito flakes and mix roughly.
4) Arrange on a plate and it's done.

This is a classic dish packed with the flavor of bamboo shoots.

Boiled bamboo shoots

☑材料（4人分）
・たけのこ３００グラム
・鶏肉３００グラム
・好みのお野菜
・しょうゆ大さじ１
・みりん大さじ１
・砂糖大さじ１
・酒大さじ１
・水大さじ１

<How to make>
1) Put all the frozen bamboo shoots, chicken, your favorite vegetables, and other seasonings into a pot.
2) Simmer over medium heat and it is ready when it becomes soft.

Simmered dishes have the image of being time-consuming, but they are very easy to make.

Rice cooked with Bamboo Shoot

☑材料（４人分）
・冷凍たけのこ２００グラム
・お米３合
・しょうゆ大さじ２
・みりん大さじ２
・顆粒だしのもと小さじ１／２

<How to make>
1) Take out the frozen bamboo shoots that have been cut into 5mm to 1cm pieces and put them into a rice cooker with washed rice.
2) Add soy sauce, mirin, dashi granules, and water and cook in a rice cooker.
3) Once the rice is cooked, mix it roughly and serve it in a bowl.

This is a classic dish that you should make first if you can get your hands on bamboo shoots.

Chinese stir-fried bamboo shoots

☑材料（2人分）
・冷凍たけのこ３００グラム
・鶏肉３００グラム
・しめじ１パック
・その他彩り用の野菜
・鶏ガラスープの素大さじ２

<How to make>
1) Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and sprinkle with potato chestnuts.
2) Heat a frying pan over medium heat and stir-fry the chicken.
3) After adding a small amount of water, stir-fry the shimeji mushrooms, frozen bamboo shoots, and vegetables for color.
4) Add chicken stock, season, and serve on a plate.

By adjusting the ingredients, you can also use it as a main dish.

Bamboo shoot spring rolls

☑材料（4人分）
・冷凍たけのこ３００グラム
・豚挽肉３００グラム
・しいたけ適量
・しょうゆ２０CC
・酒２０CC
・塩・こしょう
・片栗粉
・鶏ガラスープのもと
・春巻きの皮１２枚

<How to make>
1) Prepare frozen bamboo shoots cut into 5mm pieces.
2) Cut the shiitake mushrooms into thin pieces.
3) Heat a frying pan over medium heat, stir-fry the ground pork, shiitake mushrooms, and ground pork, and season with salt and pepper.
4) Add soy sauce and sake, add chicken stock and water, and bring to a simmer.
5) When it comes to a boil, add potato starch dissolved in water to thicken it.
6) Prepare spring roll wrappers, fill with filling and roll.
7) Fry the spring rolls in oil and it's done.

Recommended for when you want another item or as a side dish for a lunch box.

Conclusion

How was it? If you have leftover bamboo shoots, you can freeze them and enjoy them in a variety of dishes.

I introduced a simple one, but if you want to get a little more elaborate, you can make authentic Chinese food by making Chinjiao loin using thinly sliced frozen bamboo shoots.

Please freeze the bamboo shoots and use them.