Soy Milk and Fried Dough Sticks (Doujiang Youtiao)

8 steps. Take it one step at a time.

1. 01

   Soak the dried soybeans

   Soak the dried soybeans in water overnight or for at least 8 hours until they have doubled in size.

   8 hr
2. 02

   Drain the beans and rinse them

   Drain the beans and rinse them. Place in a blender with 1.5 l (1.5 qt) of water. Blend until completely smooth.

3. 03

   Strain the mixture through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth

   Strain the mixture through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth into a large pot, squeezing well to extract all the liquid.

4. 04

   Bring the soy milk

   Bring the soy milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes to cook through. Stir in sugar to taste if desired.

   20 min
5. 05

   For the Youtiao, mix flour, yeast, baking soda, and salt

   For the Youtiao, mix flour, yeast, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Gradually add warm water and knead into a smooth, slightly sticky dough.

   10 min
6. 06

   Cover the dough and let it rest

   Cover the dough and let it rest in a warm place for about 2 hours, or in the fridge overnight.

   2 hr
7. 07

   Roll the dough into a long rectangle about 1/4 inch thick

   On a floured surface, roll the dough into a long rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into strips (1 inch wide). Stack two strips together and press the center lengthwise with a chopstick to join them.

8. 08

   Heat oil to 375°F

   Heat oil to 375°F (190°C). Gently stretch the dough pairs and drop into the hot oil. Use chopsticks to flip them constantly so they expand and brown evenly. Fry until golden brown.

   5 min