Cordyceps Flower and Tofu Stir-Fry

Why people make this dish

Wild Cordyceps sinensis (dong chong xia cao) is legendarily expensive — at many pharmacies it costs more than gold by weight. Cultivated cordyceps flower (Cordyceps militaris), available fresh in supermarkets for a few dollars, contains many of the same active compounds — including cordycepin and cordyceps polysaccharides — that researchers have associated with antioxidant, immune-supporting, and anti-ageing effects. Nourilo picked up a packet at the supermarket and split it: half into a soup, half into this quick stir-fry with tofu and Chinese broccoli stems. The result is a fresh, satisfying dish that fits naturally into everyday home cooking.