Cute Yummy Time: Panda Tofu Yau Choi

In this adorable finale to La Carmina's Cute Yummy Time recipe series, she takes you through making some Panda Tofu Yau Choi. Check out the other recipes in the series: Tiger Chicken Tikka Masala, Hockey Penguin Onigiri, and Winking Coconut Gelatin.

Panda Tofu Yau Choi

Dark leafy greens and tofu are good for you -- and especially nice to eat when they’re arranged to look like two playful pandas.

Everybody now, "Awwwe!"

Cut two (3 x 3-inch) panda-shaped heads from the tofu with a paring knife. Reserve the remaining tofu for the eye decoration. Steam the tofu in a steamer for about 10 minutes or until cooked.

Bring water to the boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Add a pinch of salt. Dip about 1/2 a cup of the yau choi into the boiling water; cook for about 15 seconds and then remove to a plate. Repeat for the remaining yau choi. Mix the cooked yau choi with the soy sauce and arrange on a plate.

To make the panda faces:

To form the ears, cut four (1.5 x 3/4-inch) semicircles from the nori with scissors. To form the eyes, cut four (2 x 1-inch) ovals from the nori. To form the mouths, cut two (1.25 x 1/2-inch) crescents from the nori. To form the eye highlights, cut four (1/2-inch-wide) crescents from the remaining tofu with a cookie cutter or the end of a straw. Arrange the facial features on the two tofu pieces. Place the tofu on top of the yau choi. Serve warm.