12 delicious Chinese Dried Scallop Recipes, also known as Conpoy, that range from soups and congee to dim sum and XO sauce!
What are Dried Scallops?
Dried scallops are also known as conpoy. In Chinese, they're Jiang Yao Zhu 江瑤柱 (traditional)/ 江瑶柱 (simplified) or Gan Bei 乾貝 (traditional)/ 干贝 (simplified.)) Basically, they are scallops that have been dried to remove the moisture content and preserve them.
Thanks to their abundant umami, they're often used as "natural stock cubes" in Chinese cooking for soups and stews.
Tip: As dried Chinese scallops are expensive, they're sometimes substituted with dried shrimp to lower the cost. (For example dried scallop is meant to be the main ingredient in XO sauce but commercial XO sauce often substitutes with dried shimp.) For more ideas on what to use as a dried scallop substitute, click here.
How To Use
Dried scallops are very hard- almost like small rocks!
Like other types of dried seafood used in Chinese cuisine, such as dried fish maw, dried sea cucumber, dried abalone and dried oysters, they need to be rehydrated before using.
This is done by soaking the scallops in water for 30-60 minutes before cooking. (The larger the pieces, the longer they have to be soaked- some are soaked overnight. I usually use warm or hot water and not cold water.)
Some people like to steam the dried scallops before using, to get them extra soft, especially if adding them to a recipe that doesn't have a long cooking time, such as a Napa Cabbage dish. (This can be anything from 15 minutes to 40 minutes!)
They're typically added for their sweetness, rich umami flavor and the incredible depth of flavour they bring to food.
Where To Buy
You can find dried scallops in many Asian supermarkets. However, not all are of the same quality. Japanese scallops are usually considered the highest quality conpoy- typically from Hokkaido- and thus more expensive.
They come in a variety of sizes: larger scallops also cost more than small pieces. The cheapest are those that have been broken into bits. (For many recipes such as congee or XO sauce, you can just buy the broken scallops as they're cheaper and will be shredded later anyway.)
If you find the dried scallop price shocking, click here for how to make conpoy at home!
Tip: Some say you should avoid scallops with white specks on them, as these are a sign of old age.
How To Store
As most of the water content has been removed, they have a long shelf life when stored properly.
Dried scallops last for months, and sometimes even years, in the fridge and/ or freezer. (If you can't put them in the fridge, store in a cool dry place, but note the shelf life will be shorter. The scallops should have a seafood aroma, like the briny sea.)
Keep in an airtight container.
Expert Tips
Tip #1: Dried scallops need to be rehydrated, usually using hot water, before cooking. Save the soaking water to add to Chinese food- it will add lots of savory flavor. You can add to soups, stews and braises. It's like a seafood stock!
Tip #2: Good quality conpoy should be large (in one piece), firm, and smell like the ocean. They can be anything from a light golden yellow to a deeper mid brown.
FAQs
Raw scallops are washed and briefly boiled (to get the shells to open.) After that the flesh is cooled, cleaned again and then separated from the internal organs. After that, the flesh (adductor muscles) are boiled again, cooled and roasted over high heat. Lastly, they'll go through several cycles of drying and resting, which can take around a month's time. To see videos of how conpoy is made commercially, click this link. Some people also make their own dried scallops, but if you don't get the drying right, they'll become moldy.
Yes they can if exposed to moisture. However, dried scallops generally can last for months and even years if stored properly. Dried scallops may sometimes have a white coating on them which is actually glycine and taurine, not mold, so check carefully before you toss. Conpoy that is in good condition should smell salty, like the sea.
The flavor of scallops, like most seafood, goes very well with white wine, sake and champagne.
The adductor muscle of scallops consist of about 20% protein. After drying, this becomes as high as 65%, making conpoy a protein-rich food. Scallops also contain antioxidants and other essential minerals and vitamins such as taurine, potassium, Vitamin B-12, zinc and folic acid. They can be salty, though, so make sure to reduce the amount of salt used in a dish with dried scallops.
Congee
Dried scallops are often used to make rice porridge, a Cantonese favourite and common Chinese breakfast dish, more flavorful.
Fresh Scallop Porridge
Shrimp Congee
Poached Pumpkin Rice
Abalone Congee
Soups
Buddha Jumps Over the Wall
Conpoy is used in all the most premium Chinese soups, such as Buddha Jumps Over the Wall (Fo Tiao Qiang). The name refers to the fact that this Hokkien dish is so delicious, it can tempt Buddha/ monks to leave behind their vegetarian dish for this meat and seafood-packed soup!
Fun fact: It is such a palaver to make, and consists of such expensive ingredients, you have to pre-order it at many Chinese restaurants.
Chinese Silkie Chicken Soup
This Chinese Dried Scallop Soup recipe is made extra healthy by using black Silkie Chickens!
Chicken Feet Soup
Stir-Fries
Egg White Fried Rice with Dried Scallops
Adding dried scallops to your fried rice is a great way to elevate this homely dish. You will need dried scallops, egg whites and (cooked) overnight rice for the most basic version of this dish.
For seasoning, you'll require salt, a little soy sauce and some chicken stock powder.
How to Cook
- After steaming the scallops, shred them and fry till they're crispy then plate them. You want the texture to contrast with the softness of the egg whites.
- Next, briefly stir fry the egg whites so that they're cooked but still soft and fluffy. Place them next to the scallops.
- Stir fry the cooked rice over high heat for a few minutes. Season to taste.
- Add the scallops in and stir to mix everything.
- Lastly, add the egg whites, quickly mix everything and switch off the fire. (You don't want to over cook the eggs in this Dried Scallop Fried Rice.)
For more Asian fried rice recipes, click here.
Tip: Don't toss the egg yolks, you can cure them in salt to make salted egg yolks.
Dim Sum
There are many dried scallop recipes in classic dim sum bites:
Lo Bak Go
Sometimes translated into turnip cake, radish cake or carrot cake, Lo Bak Go is a popular dim sum dish which uses dried scallops, radish and rice flour (not to be confused with glutinous rice flour.)
Lo Mai Fan
Cantonese sticky rice, or Lo Mai Fan, also use dried scallops, as well as Chinese sausages (lup cheong) and sesame oil etc. Click here for an easy Instant Pot Lo Mai Fan recipe!
Others
Steamed Hairy Gourd
Dried scallops are also a great way to add flavor to braised and steamed Chinese dishes, such as braised mushrooms, braised cabbage and this stuffed hairy gourd recipe.
XO Sauce
A luxurious sauce found at all the best Cantonese restaurants, XO sauce is made using dried scallops, aromatics and chillies. Despite the name, there is no actual XO cognac/ brandy in it! "XO" is just used to indicate what a premium food it is!
For a delicious XO sauce recipe, click here.
What is your favorite Chinese Dried Scallops Recipe? Let me know in the comments or share a photo on social media and tag me (@greedygirlgourmet)!
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