Introduction to Chinese Cooking
Throughout time, every culture has developed its own unique way of
preparing food. Many of these culinary traditions are centuries old, but
they are still maintained by those who value meals as part of their
cultural heritage. However, in our globalized world, more and more
people are starting to prepare and enjoy food from other societies.
Here, we will explore Chinese cooking and provide greater insight into
how to create delicious dishes in the Chinese style.
The key to successful preparation of a Chinese meal is to have the
right ingredients on hand. For one, many Chinese dishes rely upon
soy-based products. Soy sauce is especially common and used for
flavoring sauces or as an extra condiment. Another common soy product is
bean paste. This comes in both yellow and black varieties and is used to
create thicker sauces. Hoison sauce is another common ingredient in
Chinese cooking. It is also made from soy and has a combination sweet
and hot flavor.
In addition to soy products, there are a few specific kind s of
vegetables that frequently appear in Chinese dishes. Dried mushrooms are
one popular choice as they provide a unique, aromatic flavor to dishes.
Water chestnuts are another common vegetable. They have a mild sweet
taste and are rather firm and crunchy. Water chestnuts are usually
bought canned, but may also be found frozen. Bean sprouts are also
common as are bamboo shoots. Snow peas and carrots make great additions
to Chinese stir-fry dishes, and broccoli is often paired with meats.
Many people believe that a Chinese meal is incomplete without rice.
While this is often added to a meal, it is not the only carbohydrate
that can supplement a meat and vegetable dish. Many Chinese recipes also
rely on egg or rice noodles, which can be easily purchased in most
supermarkets. If you do choose to cook rice, try preparing it in a rice
cooker. This appliance provides the most natural sticky texture, and is
more efficient than boiling.
Once you have the right ingredients, you are ready to start cooking a
Chinese meal. Most dishes rely on a few simple preparation methods. The
first, and perhaps more well-known, is stir frying. Stir fry dishes are
prepared in a
wok, which resembles a large, deep skillet. Food prepared
in this manner is cooked quickly over a high heat using very little oil.
A slower variation on this is shallow frying. This requires more oil,
but uses a lower heat setting. Occasionally, Chinese dishes also call
for deep frying. This is especially useful for getting the crispy
exterior on fried noodles or rolls. For a healthier Chinese dish, look
for a recipe that calls for steaming. In China, bamboo steamers are most
commonly used for this task. For a more authentic taste, consider buying
one of these tools for your kitchen. Finally, some meat dishes can be
prepared by roasting of stewing. These are best preparing using a coal
oven or slow charcoal fire.
Now that you know the basics, you are ready to start preparing some
of China’s many culinary masterpieces. So, find a recipe you like, and
get cooking.
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