Braised Garlic Cloves with Dried Scallops and Haircao

Why people make this dish

This is Nourilo’s festive opener for the Lunar New Year table — a dish that manages to be both lavish and genuinely beneficial. Garlic is one of the most researched foods in both Eastern and Western nutrition, and its role in supporting cardiovascular health is widely acknowledged. Dried scallops (yao zhu) add a deep, oceanic umami to the dish while also being associated with supporting blood pressure and blood lipids. The hair vegetable (fa cai) makes a striking black base and, beyond its auspicious name (fa cai sounds like “getting rich” in Cantonese), is traditionally said to help ease blood pressure and support intestinal health. Together, they make a dish worth making even on an ordinary weekend.