Cha Lua Chay (Vietnamese Vegetarian Ham)

Cha Lua Chay (Vietnamese Vegetarian Ham)


Ingredients
1 package Fresh Bean Curd Sheets
Banana Leaves
1/2 tsp. White Pepper
1 tsp. Kosher Salt
2 tsp. Sugar
1 tsp. Mushroom Seasoning
1 Leek (Bottom Half)
1 tsp. Baking Soda
3 Tbsp. Oil
Strings


Cut your Bean Curd Sheets into smaller squares. Rinse and wash the Bean Curd. Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tsp. Baking Soda. Using medium heat, bring to a boil.
Add in all the Bean Curd.  Mix until it becomes soften, then take it out.  Rinse with water again.  Squeeze out the water and set aside.
Chop the bottom half of 1 Leek, put in a bowl and set aside. In a pan add 3 Tbsp. Oil. Add in chopped Leek.  Sauté for a few minutes, remove from heat and put into bowl.  Set aside.
Cut the Bean Curd into small pieces. Put in a bowl. Add 2 tsp. Sugar. Add the Leek. Add 1/2 tsp. White Pepper.
Add 1 tsp. Mushroom Seasoning. Add 1 tsp. Kosher Salt. Mix well. Using a pestle, smash the Bean curd until it has a soggy texture.
Cut, wash, and wipe some Banana Leaves. Layout 4 layers of Banana Leaves.  2 going horizontal and 2 going vertical. 
Scoop some Bean Curd, place in the middle. Place a string underneath.  Hold the top and bottom together and fold down.  Tie with a string.
Bend 1 end and pull the other end up.  Fold the end, flip and do the same to the other end. Tie with a string. Repeat until you use up all your Bean Curd.
Put into steamer and steam for 1 hour and 30 minutes. After 1 hour and 30 minutes remove from steamer and let it cool for at least 1 hour.
Cut into slices to serve.