Chinese Cooking Techniques

Chinese Cooking Techniques
By Shauna Hanus

The variety of Chinese food dishes and Chinese food recipes available today is wider than in any previous decade. One can easily find Chinese food recipes for Chop Suey, which is not an authentic Chinese dish, along side of Hunan Beef. It is interesting to note that what many refer to as Chow Mein noodles is really a simpler crunchy version of the real thing.

In centuries past when the Chinese still used forks and knives is when the foundation for modern day Chinese cooking was formed. This is back when the cutting techniques and delicate flavors came together to form healthy hearty meals.

This is also when the three primary Chinese cooking techniques were formed.

The first Chinese cooking technique is stewing. Stewing can be either red or clear and is the simplest of the three methods. In clear stewing the clear liquid is brought to a boil and then allowed to simmer until the food is just tender. In red stewing a small amount of sugar and soy sauce is added which gives the stewed food a reddish tinge.

The second Chinese cooking technique is steaming. Steaming can be either wet or dry. The Chinese have used steaming as a primary cooking method for over 3000 years. Before ovens were common place steaming was a preferred method which allowed for moist flavorful food that retained most of its nutrients.

Frying is the third of the traditional Chinese cooking techniques. Frying can be either deep frying in oil or sautéing. When deep frying the food is submersed in hot oil and allowed to cook until it floats. In sautéing the meat, vegetables and garnishes are cooked quickly over high heat in a small amount of fat.

Shauna Hanus is a gourmet cook who specializes in creating gourmet recipes. She has extensive experience cooking with easy to find grocery items to create delightful gourmet meals. She is also the publisher of a no cost bi-monthly gourmet newsletter. Her newsletter is always fun and informational packed with tips and trivia you can use everyday. Sign up for her newsletter and learn more about Gourmayeats Weekly Recipe Club at [http://www.gourmayeats.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shauna_Hanus
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking-Techniques&id=158543

Chinese Cooking Recipes - 5 Vegetables Choices For Ramen and La Mian

Chinese Cooking Recipes - 5 Vegetables Choices For Ramen and La Mian
By Zane Minninger

Chinese and Japanese cuisine are more about the overall meal than just one component. Chinese cooking recipes like la mian use noodles to bring a heavier food with vegetables. There are many vegetables that are distinctly Asian in nature and go well with any of the Japanese or Chinese cooking recipes.

Ramen is a noodle soup that originated from Chinese cooking recipes with la mian. Many of the vegetables can be found in more than just one recipe. The key to many of the ingredients is to keep them big enough to be picked up with chop sticks. Small vegetables such as corn kernels are seldom seen in Asian cuisine.

The Vegetables

--1. Scallions/Green Onions
--2. Shiitake Mushrooms
--3. Bok Choy
--4. Mung Bean Sprouts
--5. Daikon/White Radish

Scallions/Green Onions

Scallions/green onions are long stem green vegetables. They have an onion flavor but are much more mild than a white onion. Their color and flavor bring a brightness to the dashi/soup of ramen dishes.

Shiitake Mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms are know as the Japanese mushroom. They have a much more earthy flavor than white button mushrooms and can be found fresh or dried in your supermarket. The mushroom has a firm texture and can add a lot of flavor and firmness to any broth.

Bok Choy

Bok choy is a cabbage or lettuce originating in China. It has a light sweet flavor and crisp texture. Many times a small handful of leaves are tossed into a soup to add the sweet flavor that offset the onions and mushrooms. They turn a dark vibrant green as well when boiled for just a moment and usually loose some of their crisp texture.

Mung Bean Sprouts

Mung bean sprouts are sprout of the mung bean. They are typically white and have a yellow edible seed on the end. They are very crisp and light with a mild sweet flavor. They add color and texture to many dishes and should be added near the end of cooking or they loose their light flavor and crisp texture.

Daikon/White Radish

Daikon is a white radish that has the shape of a carrot. It has a stronger flavor than round red radishes and is used in fresh dishes like salads. They are sliced thin and added to soups but loose some of their flavor to other flavors of the dish. Daikons are used more in Chinese cooking recipes than Japanese cuisine but still bring flavor to ramen dishes.

More Ideas

Chinese cooking recipes are the origins of the Japanese ramen and many of the Chinese vegetables are used in the ramen dish. Most ramen only uses a few vegetables in the soup otherwise the flavor of the lighter vegetables would be loss. Get more Chinese cooking recipes by visiting http://www.squidoo.com/chinese-cooking-recipes-the-best-places-for-recipes-of-chinese-cooking and make your own delicious Asian food at home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zane_Minninger
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking-Recipes---5-Vegetables-Choices-For-Ramen-and-La-Mian&id=4903481

Chinese Cooking Recipes - How to Make Hand Pulled La Mien Noodles

Chinese Cooking Recipes - How to Make Hand Pulled La Mien Noodles
By Zane Minninger

Chinese food is becoming more popular every day and new dishes are being discovered at an alarming rate. La mien noodles are used in Chinese cooking recipes often and is the original Ramen in Japan.

Ingredients
6 cups of pastry flour
1 cup of enriched flour
3 1/2 cups of warm water
2 teaspoons of sesame oil

Making the Dough
Either on a clean surface or a large mixing bowl, slowly add 3 cups of the water to the flour. Only add a little bit at a time and kneed the mixture into a dough. This will take time but the flour should take all 3 cups of the water.

The dough needs to be smooth so add a little more water to the dough and kneed until it is a smooth feeling and looking dough ball. You may not use all the water.

After the dough is smooth, kneed the dough aggressively until it is soft. This can take 20 or 30 minutes and will give you a good workout. After the dough is smooth and soft you can begin to make the noodles. Be sure to have a pot of boiling water started because once the noodles are made they can go right into the water to get cooked.

Checking the Dough
First roll out the dough into a tube. The dough should roll easily and not spring back at all when pressed. To test if the dough is ready grab each end of the tube and stretch arm's length. The dough should easily stretch from hand to hand without breaking or having any thin spots in the middle. If this isn't the case then you need to add a little more water and kneed it again for 5 minutes.

Making the Noodles
If it does stretch effortlessly with a consistent thickness through the entire dough, you are ready to make the noodles. Roll the dough back into a tube again and this time add sesame oil to the outside. Just a little on your hands should be enough. Just rub the tube along the length.

To make the noodles first grab each end of the tube and stretch the dough arms length. Bring the ends together in one hand while hooking your thumb in the loop on the other end. Stretch again. Bring the loop to the other end and hook your thumb in the new loop that is created.

Continue doing this until you have the thickness of noodles you want. Once you have the thickness you want, tear off the end in one hand and the last loop you just made. It's alright to have dough you didn't use. Take the noodles and drop them into the boiling water.

The noodles cook fast and only need 5-7 minutes to cook.

More Chinese Cooking Recipes
Chinese cooking recipes have become very common place in the restaurant cuisine. Many people have been wanting more Chinese cooking recipes they can make at home without too much effort. There are many places to find these recipes such as http://www.squidoo.com/chinese-cooking-recipes-the-best-places-for-recipes-of-chinese-cooking. With thousands of recipes you can make at home, Chinese cooking recipes make a great addition to any cook's recipes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zane_Minninger
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking-Recipes---How-to-Make-Hand-Pulled-La-Mien-Noodles&id=4842461

Chinese Cooking Recipes - A Secret Ingredient

Chinese Cooking Recipes - A Secret Ingredient
By Zane Minninger

Think back to a time you had really good Chinese food. Wouldn't you love to have that quality of Chinese food all the time at home?

Corn Starch

Chinese cooking recipes use an ingredient that many people don't realize. It's a white powder called corn starch. Readily available at any grocery store and it has many uses.

Usages

The biggest usage is its ability to thicken sauces. Many Chinese cooking recipes use it as an ingredient in their food to give it a slight sheen as well.

Where to Get It

Your grocery store will typically have it in the baking isle with other dry goods such as flour, corn meal and sugar. Corn starch can come in many different containers. Because they are just a dry starchy powder they usually come in boxes but recently have been coming in plastic containers.

Chinese Cooking Recipes and Starch Usage

Corn starch thickens when it reaches a boil. Most Chinese cooking recipes and stir fry in particular, are perfect for this method of saucing. Create the sauce in a container you can seal such as a jar before you start cooking and shake it well to mix it.

When you get close to the end of your cooking, shake the jar again to mix it up well and then pour in the pan. It should thicken quickly so keep the food moving to ensure even coverage and no burning. Turning down the heat will also help keep burning at bay.

How to Use Starch - the Trick is in the Ratio

Very thick sauce - 1 tablespoon of corn starch will thicken 6 tablespoons of liquid quickly and make it a very thick sauce.

Thick sauce - 1 tablespoon of corn starch will thicken 1/2 a cup of liquid nicely.

Thin sauce - 1 tablespoon of corn starch will make a thin sauce for 1 cup of liquid.

More Ideas

Now wouldn't be nice to be able to make all those Chinese cooking recipes at home? Take a minute or two and check out http://www.squidoo.com/chinese-cooking-recipes-the-best-places-for-recipes-of-chinese-cooking for a look at more recipes, how we get them and where we can find them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zane_Minninger
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking-Recipes---A-Secret-Ingredient&id=4763393

The Art of Chinese Cooking - Unleash the Chinese Gourmet in You

The Art of Chinese Cooking - Unleash the Chinese Gourmet in You
By Ileana Limon

"Have you eaten already?" Sounds familiar, right? Well, that is if you have dined in a Chinese restaurant. That is actually a popular Chinese greeting and that is even heard in the West. Yes, Chinese restaurants are recently mushrooming in the West. This only indicates an increasing interest in the Chinese food.

Well, there's no wonder why. That is because Chinese food comes in different varieties and its quality is high. Additionally, Chinese recipes are more economical and easy to make. In fact, anyone can easily prepare his or her own food in the kitchen and enjoy it. It's no surprise that one-third of the world's population consume Chinese food on a daily basis. Perhaps, Chinese recipes are some of the world's greatest and most original cuisines.

It was often assumed that Chinese recipes are difficult to cook. However in contrast to this assumption, they do not present any real difficulty at all. All of the ingredients needed to prepare a Chinese food can be bought in general food stores and other outlets, sometimes even online. It doesn't matter whether you are planning to make bean sprouts, water chestnuts or bamboo shoots. With a visit to your general store, you can get all the required supplies.

One thing to consider when it comes to Chinese recipes, is the color, flavor and aroma. These are basically the key elements in Chinese recipes. In addition, nutrition is also considered a priority. Another amazing thing about Chinese cooking is the way in which meat and poultry can be served in the one course in such clever appeal that there's nothing seems to be out of place. The very fact that Chinese cooking and its consumption is a great cooking experience also implies that food prepared the Chinese way has more nutrients in it. Vitamins, in particular, are retained in most Chinese food due to the quick and minimum cooking.

Furthermore, when it comes to meat in Chinese food recipes, it actually refers to pork. Beef is less common in Chinese food compared to pork. From the point of view of Chinese cooking, pork seems to be more versatile than beef and more dishes that are successful made are done using pork rather than with beef. Nevertheless, there are some beef recipes.

There are actually a lot of Chinese recipes that you can try out right in your own kitchen. You can find numerous references online about all the facets of Chinese cuisine. There are detailed step-by-step recipes to help you make your Chinese cooking experience easy. Why not try out one of the Chinese recipe. See for yourself how it feels and tastes to cook and dine the Chinese way.

Are you looking for the best place to dine and enjoy the sumptuous dishes of Chinese Food Riverside? If you're just around the corners of Southern California, you can find one which can offer you a fine dining experience at an affordable price. You can even have a Chinese Take Out Riverside [http://www.clipser.com/watch_video/1442927] for your love one to enjoy at home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ileana_Limon
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Art-of-Chinese-Cooking---Unleash-the-Chinese-Gourmet-in-You&id=4244348

About Chinese Cooking Utensils

About Chinese Cooking Utensils
By Keith Yao

Cooking Chinese food is simple when you have the right cooking utensils. For most Chinese food recipes, you will need at least two basic utensils, the wok and a slatted spoon that is designed specifically for using with a wok. You may also add a bamboo steamer to your utensil for a complete set of Chinese cooking utensils.

A wok looks much like a basic pot, or a large bowl. The shape of the wok allows foods to cook quickly, so make sure that you pay close attention to your foods while they are cooking. Unlike a frying pan or a pot, foods can overcook in a matter of minutes in a wok.

Although the Chinese cooking recipes do give approximate cooking times, you should be careful the first few times that you use your wok. These cooking times are not always accurate, since each heat source can be slightly different than the next. Woks are best used on gas stoves, since the heat is easily adjusted, but you can also used woks on an electric stove if you are know how to adjust the temperature quickly.

Woks can be used for steaming, deep frying or stir frying your foods. For deep frying, it is best to use an oil that can take high heats without burning. Most Chinese recipes will tell you which kind of oil you need for best results.

Bamboo steamers are also a staple in Chinese cooking. Bamboo steamers are excellent for steaming foods, including vegetable and Chinese dumplings. To use the steamer, you need to fill your wok with enough water for the entire cooking process and then allow the water to boil. Once the water is steaming, you add the bamboo steamer, with the food already arranged on the tray, to the wok.

Obviously, the steamer needs to sit above the water while you cook. If you have added too much water, then you will need to remove some of it before you begin using the steamer. Also, you can line the tray of the steamer with cabbage or lettuce leaves to prevent the Chinese food from sticking to the tray.

The type of recipe that you are making can help you decide whether you use cabbage or lettuce leaves. If the taste of cabbage or lettuce is not something that you like, you can also use foil with small holes placed throughout the material.

Keith Yao is the author of Chinese Food Recipes, an online Chinese recipes and cooking website offering plenty of free Chinese recipes and cooking tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Yao
http://EzineArticles.com/?About-Chinese-Cooking-Utensils&id=1767200

Chinese Cooking Recipe - The Secret Of The Delicious Delicacy!

Chinese Cooking Recipe - The Secret Of The Delicious Delicacy!
By Abhishek Agarwal

Chinese cooking recipes for the American homes are just an adjusted recipe of the original Chinese recipes. They taste good and marvelous. The original recipes are favorites for many across the world as they taste delicious. For example, let's consider the process of making Chinese recipes. They are seasoned with a combo of sugar and chilies to produce a dish with a real flavor. The addition of few more nice spices and the cooking of the recipe over the flame are the specific characteristics of the Chinese cooking recipe and this has brought fame to it thought America. It is very easy to prepare the recipes and they are generally made in pieces as per the Chinese manner of food preparation.

There are various elements or ingredients in the list of the Chinese manner of food preparation. Chinese soups, noodles and rice are the most popular among them. One can easily point out the Singapore Noodles as the most popular of the Chinese cooking recipe when it comes to talking of the famous recipes across the world. It is prepared by roasting shrimps or pork with noodles. Bean sprouts, noodles, steamed rice, garlic, shredded Napa cabbage and Soy sauce are the important contents of the recipes and they can added with ingredients of their choice. The vegetables and the ingredients are cooked in the flame and the noodles are fried deeply in oil. Then they are both mixed in the end. Chinese food lovers throughout America prefer the Szechwan and Shanghai type of noodles.

A Chinese green fried with shrimps is the other popular recipe that is made by the combination of Chinese mushrooms and greens with marinated shrimps. The preparation of the recipe details the deep frying of the fish along with the vegetables to get the particular flavor. When they are served with rice it can be considered as full meals for two persons. The Manchurian recipe is the other well known of the Chinese cooking recipe. A mixture of chicken, noodles and vegetables constitute the Manchurian. Extra care should be taken in adding the correct quantity of vegetable, sauces, spring onions, and spices for the preparation of the Manchurian. The vegetables and the chicken are well mixed and made rolled into small balls which are then fried deeply in oil to get a crunchy product. The fried balls are provided with gravy to get the exact flavor. Spring onions are decorated alongside to make it colorful.

Making of the dish and adding spices alone does not sum up the Chinese cooking recipe. In truth these recipes are nutritional and healthy too. The recipes involve the cooking of both the vegetarian and the non vegetarian items. These recipes have attracted a lot of food lovers because of the addition of various kinds of spices. These recipes are listed in almost all restaurants. The Chinese culture is very well propagated to the foreigner as well.

Abhishek is really passionate about Cooking and he has got some great Cooking Secrets. up his sleeves! Download his FREE 88 Page Ebook, "Cooking Mastery!" from his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com/770/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking-Recipe---The-Secret-Of-The-Delicious-Delicacy!&id=1663492

Chinese Cooking Taro - Eat Healthy With The Highly Nutritious Chinese Cooking Taro!

Chinese Cooking Taro - Eat Healthy With The Highly Nutritious Chinese Cooking Taro!
By Abhishek Agarwal

Any connoisseur of good food and drink would undoubtedly declare that the Chinese are the best cooks in the international world! The reason that they manage to churn out such tasty food is because of a famous cuisine called the "Chinese Cooking Taro".

Few may be aware of what is actually meant by "Taro". This tropical plant is known for its edible corm (starch-filled vegetable which grows underground) and edible leaves. This plant with a tall and thick stem requires plenty of water and good soil in order to grow. Being triangular in shape, the large leaves have caused the plant to be loosely nicknamed, "elephant's ear"! Moreover, this plant is an excellent source of minerals (potassium and iron), vitamins (vitamin C, thiamine and vitamin B1), and carbohydrates.

There are certain precautions to be taken before the Taro can actually be cooked. The skin is quite muddy and has to be peeled off. Sometimes, there are spots found on the Taro or it is not very fresh. Then the vegetable has to be trimmed till the white flesh with purple markings can be seen.

Once the peeling is done with, the Taro is cut in a crosswise pattern depending on how large the vegetable is. Generally, each piece is supposed to be one-fourth inch in thickness.

This cuisine (Chinese Cooking Taro) involves a classical and elaborate procedure of cooking. To begin with, a wok (metal pan with rounded bottom) is heated for a long time till it emits smoke. To prevent burning or sticking, the surface of the wok is now coated with oil. The Taro is allowed to cook by itself for about 15 to 20 seconds before garlic is added to it. Stirring has to be continuous to prevent the Taro from sticking to the sides of the wok. Once the Taro's color turns to light-brown, water is poured in. The level of water just covers the Taro. Lastly, the Taro in water is left to cook for about 15 to 20 minutes on a medium flame. Once it is ready, the hot Chinese Cooking Taro can be combined with steamed rice and eaten!

This is not the only combination in which it can be used. Since Chinese food is largely influenced by the religion followed and festivals celebrated in the country, a cuisine like the Chinese Cooking Taro has been responsible for the evolution and naming of many famous dishes like Noodles, Manchurian, Spring Rolls, Stewed Taro combined with green onions, and many more.

What is to be kept in mind is that the principal ingredients to be found in the Chinese Cooking Taro consist of about one pound of a medium Taro along with 1 to 2 cups of boiled water, 6 chopped cloves of garlic, 2 to 3 green onions which are to be cut in round and thin slices, 1 to 2 tablespoons of light soy sauce and 3 to 4 tablespoons of peanut oil.

Whatever it may be, it cannot be disputed that Chinese Cooking Taro has become an invaluable part of various Chinese cuisines around the world, as well as used as fast food since it is both tasty and contains a whole lot of nutrients.

Today, other countries are following suit by experimenting with different methods of cooking this vegetable food to produce their own delicious dishes.

Abhishek is really passionate about Cooking and he has got some great Cooking Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 88 Pages Ebook, "Cooking Mastery!" from his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com/770/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking-Taro---Eat-Healthy-With-The-Highly-Nutritious-Chinese-Cooking-Taro!&id=1663383

The Chinese Cooking Wok - The Traditional Way To Prepare Authentic Chinese Food!

The Chinese Cooking Wok - The Traditional Way To Prepare Authentic Chinese Food!
By Abhishek Agarwal

Since ancient times, the Chinese have been known to be hung up on tradition, especially where cooking methods are concerned. They are equally concerned about nourishing food cooked in proper sanitary conditions. It is with this view in mind that the Chinese cooking wok has found its own niche in every Chinese kitchen around the world. In addition, the Chinese realized that cooking in utensils handed down from ancient times have helped their dishes to retain their exact, original flavors.

With Chinese food being so popular, it is no wonder then that the Chinese cooking wok is making its way into American households and other parts of the world. Many international stores today stock this main Chinese utensil along with others.

Why is the Chinese cooking wok so unique? To get an answer to this question, we will have to delve into its design.

The wok is basically prepared from carbon steel or iron. The round-bottomed utensil is hammered into shape by hand. The wok therefore becomes delicately flared at the edges, enabling food to be thrust inside with ease. When the perfect shape is attained, the wok is flipped from outside or inside. The rounded bottom of the wok helps it fit over the stove perfectly. Bare metal handles are more commonly used for the Chinese cooking wok. Such handles are known as loop handles. Another type of handle is the stick handle which is formed from carbon steel and resembles Teflon. Thus, the vessel is now ready for anything such as stewing, braising, steaming, deep frying, or preparing soups.

In an attempt to copy the Chinese cooking wok, yet make it more suitable for Western styles of cooking, Westerners have developed woks looking like flat-bottomed frying pans. For more compatibility, woks with double handles are more popular than those with single handles. The bottom of the wok is fitted with an adapter ring. This helps to retain the wok's grip over the top of the stove (western ranges).

The very design of the original Chinese cooking wok itself should be enough to convince anyone that it is better than a frying pan any day! Oil intake is very less, food can be tossed properly, and best of all, there is uniform distribution of heat. So copies can never take the place of the original.

In conclusion, the size of the Chinese cooking wok is designed to suit the purpose. A small family can make do with a wok measuring 36 centimeters, while a still larger one is suitable for a bigger household. The largest-sized ones are used only in restaurants for large-scale cooking.

Abhishek is really passionate about Cooking and he has got some great Cooking Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 88 Pages Ebook, "Cooking Mastery!" from his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com/770/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Chinese-Cooking-Wok---The-Traditional-Way-To-Prepare-Authentic-Chinese-Food!&id=1663382

Studying Amazing Chinese Culinary With a Chinese Cooking School

Studying Amazing Chinese Culinary With a Chinese Cooking School
By Kathy P Barnikel

For those students who desire to learn about the world of Chinese cooking and culinary, a Chinese cooking school is the perfect choice. Some of the best professional chefs who offers guidance in various types of traditional and modern methods of food making can be found in this place. The cooking school have been very popular for so many years now due to Chinese cuisine which is famous throughout the world. There are so many options available if you are looking for a Chinese cooking school in America. Using the internet to locate these schools is effortless. Known for its very diverse and rich culinary heritages along with cuisines found around the world is what makes Chinese cuisine very popular.

Seminars which are conducted during the weekend is a good choice for learning the tips and methods of cooking, due to courses which are primarily set during fall and spring which are held on the weekend and evening, as well as the availability of various short periods. Different trade schools or local colleges who carries out demonstration and participation classes on regional cuisine subjects are bountiful.

There are various qualification courses given by a number of specialized Chinese cooking schools, catering businesses and also cookbook outlets. The weekend or evening classes that are carried out by skilled chefs is an excellent alternative for working people to be trained in Chinese cooking.

The short term and long term courses under Chinese cooking school offer different benefits to their students such as job assistance and expert council membership. The long term course gives you a brief idea about the Chinese cuisine and helps you to fine tune your skills during each training session. The short duration course is ideal for picking up a few tips and techniques to prepare food easily. Generally, Chinese cooking institutes promote a comfortable atmosphere.

To be an expert in the culinary arts and to learn diverse Chinese cuisines mainly American-Chinese dishes, attending a Chinese cooking school would be the perfect place to do just that.

For more ideas about cooking check out our Online Cooking Guides [http://www.what2cooktoday.com] and to get your copy of "Master Chef Secrets"

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_P_Barnikel
http://EzineArticles.com/?Studying-Amazing-Chinese-Culinary-With-a-Chinese-Cooking-School&id=1218587

The Chinese Cooking Method - Fast & Healthy Meals Are Now Possible!

The Chinese Cooking Method - Fast & Healthy Meals Are Now Possible!
By Abhishek Agarwal

Feeling peckish and can't be bothered with the regular meal preparation that is time-consuming and asks for a whole lot of steps? Then you are in luck with putting together a healthy and fast meal with basic cooking tips using the Chinese Cooking Method, ideal for those unannounced hunger-pangs that can quickly be appeased without compromising on granting taste-buds their due and simple to follow. Most Chinese recipes require one or more of a combination of methods like stir-frying, steam-cooking, boiling or sauteing besides other styles adapted over the years!

The most commonly used Chinese cooking methods of all times though is frying, which may include deep, shallow, stir or slippery frying while popular Chinese food items include noodles, fried-rice, chicken pieces and shrimp dishes. Sometimes, Chinese cooking methods extend to dicing chicken and veggies into small bits and stir-frying them to serve with noodles or a rice dish.

Sauteing, also known as shallow cooking, is another popular Chinese cooking method that requires a thin oil layer to cover the food which uses minimal grease and cuts down on much of the calories that creep in with other cooking methods. To ensure all the food items being cooked in this manner are not under-done, the veggies or meat is sliced thinly to enable faster, even cooking. When a light-brown color is achieved, then the spices and seasonings are added in to complete the process of sauteing.

Chinese cooking methods are usually very healthy ways of cutting back on calories and excess oil and thus Stewing food (first sauteing thinly sliced or diced veggies or meat, then pouring a sauce over it and cooking it over slow fire) is yet another popular cooking style adapted for world cuisine from Chinese cooking methods. The stir-frying ensures the food items are cooked superficially but raw inside so nutrients are retained and once gravy is poured over it, the simmer-and-cook method works well to give a good taste with a zesty tang to the dish.

Slow cooking over low flame and boiling are other smart and healthy ways of preparing food that are borrowed from the various Chinese cooking methods many chefs follow. Boiling calls for large pots with hot water used to cook vegetables, rice or noodles and meat; it can also incorporate the use of sauces to lend a savory taste to the ingredients while they cook. Simmer-cooking involves cooking in water or sauce for a long time and low heat is required and since it does away with the need for oil, this is among the best dietary helpers agree experts as no extra calories get a chance to creep in.

So, taking to Chinese Cooking Methods not only ensures quick meal time options but healthy ones too that are suitable for one and all!

Abhishek is a cooking enthusiast! Visit his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com and download his FREE Cooking Report "Master Chef Secrets" and learn some amazing Cooking tips and tricks for FREE! Learn how to create the perfect meal on a shoe-string budget. And yes, you get to keep all the accolades! But hurry, only limited Free copies available! http://www.Cooking-Guru.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Chinese-Cooking-Method---Fast-and-Healthy-Meals-Are-Now-Possible!&id=837367

Chinese Cooking Tools - 7 Essential Chinese Cooking Tools!

Chinese Cooking Tools - 7 Essential Chinese Cooking Tools!
By Abhishek Agarwal

Chinese cuisine has gradually developed and spread across various places in the US because of across-the-board usage of Chinese cooking equipment that have facilitated the setting of high cooking standards. The equipment is the utensils or tools that are normally used to make various kinds of Chinese dishes. Certified Chinese chefs extensively use seven important utensils to prepare dishes effortlessly in restaurants. These tools are the cleaver, wide-blade spatula, long wooden chopsticks, Chinese Wok, frying strainer, ladle/scoop, and bamboo steamer. We will now study these Chinese cooking equipment carefully.

Amongst the utensils used is the Wok, which plays a central role in the preparation of most of the Chinese food. Carbon steel and cast iron are the materials used in the Wok. Although they occur in various sizes, a majority of people favor the standard sized Wok of 14 inches. This utensil is quite sizeable and broad and can easily hold duck, fish, and chicken together with the extra ingredients. Generally, the wok includes a lid to ensure that the heat and flavor do not escape. Woks with wooden handles are preferred more since they are bad conductors of heat unlike metal grips.

The cleaver is primarily used for chopping in Chinese cooking and is relatively low-priced when compared to stainless steel. Skilled cooks widely use cleavers of carbon steel. These tools are available in different shapes and weights. The third tool used in Chinese cooking is the frying strainer and this is intended for deep-frying various ingredients. The finest strainers are those that are made of wire mesh. Frying strainers fitted with extended bamboo handles are the ideal tools since heat is not conducted through them.

The fourth key tool used in Chinese cooking is the broad-blade Spatula. It has a long grip that makes sure a safe distance is maintained from the heat. The Spatula is designed for scooping and stir frying food. The scoop serves a twofold function of taking out the food from the wok. The wooden chopsticks are mainly used for stirring the food in the wok. These chopsticks are crafted from wood of the finest quality, and hence do not become hot to the touch.

The Bamboo Steamer has a cover and it is to be inserted into the iron wok. It can be used either individually or by mounting collectively. Made of bamboo, the steamer can easily be cleaned by washing with water. Many of the utensils used in Chinese cooking are of multi-use and are a piece of good fortune for food buffs fond of cooking delectable Chinese dishes.

Abhishek is a cooking enthusiast! Visit his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com and download his FREE Cooking Report "Master Chef Secrets" and learn some amazing Cooking tips and tricks for FREE! Learn how to create the perfect meal on a shoe-string budget. And yes, you get to keep all the accolades! But hurry, only limited Free copies available! http://www.Cooking-Guru.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking-Tools---7-Essential-Chinese-Cooking-Tools!&id=962166

Chinese Cooking Recipes - Ramen and La Mian - What the Difference is and Why It's So Popular

Chinese Cooking Recipes - Ramen and La Mian - What the Difference is and Why It's So Popular
By Zane Minninger

I am sure most of us have heard of ramen but did you know it started as la mian in Chinese cooking recipes? Ramen is that small packet of deep fried noodles that has been dried and packaged as a type of soup in our grocery store. It is also the main staple of many college kids diet.

La Mian Origins
There are many recipes for Chinese noodles. La mian literally translates into pulling noodles in Chinese and has one significant difference to ramen. La mian noodles are pulled and stretched to form a noodle. La mian is a staple of Chinese food and used very frequently in their dishes.

Ramen Origins
Ramen is a Japanese version of la mian that has been changed from the original Chinese cooking recipes for the Japanese pallet. The dish consists of noodles but they are cut rather than pulled and the broth they sit in has a different flavor than the Chinese broths.

Chinese Soups
The Chinese cooking recipes for la mian usually calls for beef or mutton-flavored soups. These soups, unlike the Japanese, can be compared to a generic soup. The noodles, vegetables and other flavorings are what create the dish and can vary greatly between different Chinese cooking recipes.

Japanese Soups
Japanese soups are typically made from chicken or pork stocks. Japanese soups fall into one of four main categories.

Shio - Salt soup
Tonkotsu - Pork bone soup
Shoyu - A combination of chicken and vegetable stock
Miso - Created with fermenting rice, barley, soybeans with salt and a particular type of fungus.

Why It's So Popular
La mien was just as popular as every other Chinese noodle recipe because the Chinese have so many recipes that include many different types of noodles. It became a street food and migrated to Japan where they loved the Chinese cooking recipes. Ramen was born for speed and convenience as the Japanese adapted the noodle recipe.

More Noodle Recipes

Chinese cooking recipes include a lot of noodle dishes as noodles are the main staple food for the Chinese, much as rice is for the Japanese. There are many Chinese cooking recipes from hot meals to serve your family to cool noodle dishes keeping you cool in the summer. To get more recipes and information please take a few moments to visit http://www.squidoo.com/chinese-cooking-recipes-the-best-places-for-recipes-of-chinese-cooking.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zane_Minninger
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking-Recipes---Ramen-and-La-Mian---What-the-Difference-is-and-Why-Its-So-Popular&id=4820308

Chinese Cooking Recipes - Chinese Style Chicken With Vegetables

Chinese Cooking Recipes - Chinese Style Chicken With Vegetables
By Zane Minninger

Chinese cooking recipes can be hard to find and this is a recipe that hasn't been publish on-line to my knowledge. It is very simple and requires only a little preparation time.

Ingredients

- 1 pound of uncooked, boneless and skinless chicken breast
- 1 can of sliced water chestnuts
- 1 can of bamboo shoots
- 1 can of baby corn (cut in half)
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup bean sprouts
- 2 dried red chili peppers (optional for spiciness)

Chicken Marinade

(30 minutes to 8 hours before)
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of teriyaki sauce
- 2 tablespoons of corn starch

Chinese sauce

(can be made just before you start cooking)
- 2 tablespoons of teriyaki sauce
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons of brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon of water
- 1 tablespoon of corn starch

Preparation

Cut the chicken into 3/4 inch cubes and place in a zip-top bag with the chicken marinade for at least 30 minutes.

Place 2 tablespoons of sesame oil into a skillet over medium-high heat. Empty the seeds from the red chili peppers and break them up into the oil (leave them whole if you want to keep them in the meal).

Let the oil warm up until it starts to shimmer and moves easily around the pan. After 1 minute remove the bits of chili peppers. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place in the oiled pan. Stir this constantly to ensure the chicken does not stick to the pan.

Once the chicken and marinade has thickened, add the bamboo shoots and broccoli into the pan. Increase the heat to high and stir every minute or so for 3 to 4 minutes.

After 3 or 4 minutes, put in the water chestnuts and baby corn. Keep stirring every minute or two until everything looks cooked through, another 4 or 5 minutes.

Add the bean sprouts and pour the Chinese sauce over the food and start mixing it with the other ingredients. Take the pan off the heat once everything is coated well.

Serve with rice and this becomes one more recipe in your collection of Chinese cooking recipes.

This serves 4 people and could be stretched with more rice to serve 6.

History

This is one of the Chinese cooking recipes I've known since I was a kid. It was one of the few Chinese cooking recipes in a school funded cookbook and I have never seen anything like it anywhere. I have cooked it through high-school, college and even now for my family. Everyone loves it and says it's one of the best Chinese cooking recipes I have.

Finding More

This is just one recipe that I know of and cook regularly. Please visit Chinese cooking recipes for more recipes you can make at home. To get even more information about Chinese cooking recipes as well as a cook book filled with ideas, check out http://www.squidoo.com/chinese-cooking-recipes-the-best-places-for-recipes-of-chinese-cooking.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zane_Minninger
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking-Recipes---Chinese-Style-Chicken-With-Vegetables&id=4806662

Chinese Cooking Recipes - 5 Great Vegetables For Chinese Food

Chinese Cooking Recipes - 5 Great Vegetables For Chinese Food
By Zane Minninger

Chinese food is becoming more popular but the flavors of Chinese cooking recipes differ from other cuisines. One of the biggest conflicts is which vegetables work well in Chinese cooking.

Bamboo Shoots
Bamboo shoots are the edible roots of the bamboo plant which is found almost everywhere in Asia. It has a crunchy snap and a light flavor. It has a slightly sweet taste and can be found sliced in the Asian section of most supermarkets.

Broccoli
There are many kinds of broccoli but the most traditional is Chinese broccoli. It is different than normal broccoli because it is a leafy green broccoli. Normal broccoli is typically used in Chinese cooking recipes if Chinese broccoli can't be found.

Water Chestnuts
Water chestnuts are actually an aquatic vegetable. It has a crunchy texture and a slight nutty flavor. It is usually found canned either sliced or whole in the Asian isle of most supermarkets.

Baby Corn
Baby corn is a small corn on an edible cob. It is firm but gives easily when chewed. It has a very mild corn flavor. Baby corn is typically found in the canned vegetables isle of grocery stores.

Mung Bean Sprouts
Also known as bean sprouts and are readily available in the vegetable area of your supermarket. Bean sprouts are the white sprouts of the mung bean and have a crisp texture with a sweet flavor. The trick to cooking bean sprouts is to not cook them too long. Cooking them for 30 seconds in a hot stir-fry is the general rule.

More Vegetables

Chinese vegetables are sometimes a variety to the common vegetables we usually think of for our dishes but can be radically different. Chinese cooking recipes use a variety of vegetables which has increased as trade has increased. Check out Chinese Cooking Recipes for more ideas or visit http://www.squidoo.com/chinese-cooking-recipes-the-best-places-for-recipes-of-chinese-cooking for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zane_Minninger
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking-Recipes---5-Great-Vegetables-For-Chinese-Food&id=4806420

Marinades in Chinese Cooking Recipes - A Quick Marinade

Marinades in Chinese Cooking Recipes - A Quick Marinade
By Zane Minninger

Marinades

Marinades are usually liquids you use on meats and vegetables before the cooking process. Many times this is done some time in advance up to a few days before the meal. Other times it is prepared just half an hour before you prepare one of your Chinese cooking recipes.

Flavoring Marinades

There are a few types of marinades you can use that do one of a few things. The flavoring marinade is to add flavor to the meat. In many Chinese cooking recipes this can be soy sauce, teriyaki sauce or other sauce such as fish, oyster or Hunan. Placing the meat in the liquid for anywhere from half an hour to overnight will flavor the meat. You can then add the meat and liquid all at once or take out the meat and just add it.

Quick Thick Marinade

One of my Chinese cooking recipes calls for a marinade that creates its own type of breading on the meat. It is one of the Chinese cooking recipes I use quite a bit. It coats the meat with a thick sauce that when cooked in a pan with a little oil creates a tasty skin on the meat.

Chinese Cooking Recipes Quick Marinade

It is suggested that this be done overnight or about 8 hours before you use it. It will still come out good if done only 30 minutes before cooking.

Ingredients

- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce

- 1 tablespoon of teriyaki sauce

- 2tablespoons of corn starch

Mix the ingredients together well and place the chicken in a zip top bag with it coating the chicken. It works best with cubed chicken rather than whole chicken breasts.

Cooking

Once you are ready to cook, heat a pan on medium high heat with a tablespoon or two of oil and pull the meat out of the marinade and place in the pan. Be careful as oil will splash a little burning you if it gets on you. Stir often until the chicken is cook all the way through.

Other Dishes

This marinade is great on meat and I have used it on vegetables from time to time as well. It is used in the Chinese cooking recipes I was taught as a child. There are many other ways to find recipes such as this one for Chinese dishes so visit http://www.squidoo.com/chinese-cooking-recipes-the-best-places-for-recipes-of-chinese-cooking for other tasty dishes you would like.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zane_Minninger
http://EzineArticles.com/?Marinades-in-Chinese-Cooking-Recipes---A-Quick-Marinade&id=4776697

Chinese Cooking Ingredients - Healthy Spices and Ingredients For a Healthy Cooking

Chinese Cooking Ingredients - Healthy Spices and Ingredients For a Healthy Cooking
By Carolyn Anderson

Traditional Chinese cooking is known to be healthy as it focuses more on having more vegetables than meat and it promotes a variety of colorful and crisp vegetables that is ideal for a healthy recipe. If you are interested in learning Chinese cooking at home, here are some of the popular Chinese cooking ingredients, spices and herbs that will help you add more flavor to your Chinese recipes.

Tofu - tofu or bean curd is a popular ingredient you can find in many Chinese recipes especially those vegetarian recipes. This ingredient is of Chinese origin but it has become a popular recipe ingredient in Asian cooking. Tofu has little flavor or smell and you can drain it before use to let it absorb the flavors of the other ingredients and spices in the recipe. For some vegetarian diet, the tofu can also be a good substitute for meat as it can be a good source of protein and iron but low in calories and fat. It can also be digested easily as it is tender and soft.

Mushroom - mushroom is also one of the popular Chinese cooking ingredients that add taste to your recipes. These are not rare ingredients and you can readily find them in the supermarket but it can vary in price as some of them are still harvested from their natural environment. You can also get dried mushrooms as ingredients for your stew, soups as well as in your stir-fried recipes.

Dried fungus - Dried fungus is one of the dried ingredients that you may commonly find in Chinese dishes. These are best for stir-frying and are often used together with tofu, chicken, celery and onions. You may find them too small when you get to purchase them from the supermarket but they can expand after soaking them in about 15 minutes in hot water before cooking them with the rest of the ingredients.

Bok choy - is also another popular vegetable that you can find in Chinese cooking but they are popular around the world. You can often find this vegetable in stews, in soups as well as in stir-fried recipes.

The five-spice powder - this spice is a one of the popular Chinese cooking ingredients and often used as food seasoning that you can add to your dish like pepper. As the name suggests, the five-spice powder consists of five spices that commonly include the Szechuan peppercorn, start anise, fennel, cinnamon and cloves. Usually, this is used by in seasoning fatty meats but it is also widely used in vegetarian dishes.

Ginger is also another popular spice in Chinese cooking. In fact, it is one primary flavorings in Chinese food because of its aromatic and its pungent and biting taste. Sometimes it is also added in the five-spice powder instead of fennel. Ginger not only adds flavor to your dishes but also provides health benefits such as promoting good digestion as well as preventing motion sickness and nausea.

Carolyn Anderson loves cooking and loves to explore healthy tips and techniques in cooking. To explore healthy Chinese cooking, check out the hundreds of recipes in real Chinese cooking. Also check out Copycat Cookbook, a great recipe book to help you cook your favorite American restaurant meals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_Anderson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking-Ingredients---Healthy-Spices-and-Ingredients-For-a-Healthy-Cooking&id=3272085

Chinese Cooking - 14 Key Features Defining The Tradition

Chinese Cooking - 14 Key Features Defining The Tradition
By Abhishek Agarwal

The world we live in is full of varied cultures & traditions, each one featuring their own unique way of cooking & hence offering a diversified taste. Chinese cooking is one among the most followed ones.

As a nation, China has several festivals and traditions. Accordingly they have varied dishes for each event. In America, Chinese skills of cooking are looked upon as an art. For centuries together, their delicious delicacies are tickling the taste buds of the Americans.

Here are a few key features of Chinese cooking:

1. Chinese cooking is relatively quite easy and quick.

2. The specialties in Chinese items are categorized as per the nation's culture, festivals & districts.

3. Some examples are steamed fish, Doufu, dark vinegar rice served with ginger, din sum, etc.

4. Cooked tea is the most preferred drink with the Chinese cuisine. In china, different varieties of tea are planted, hence, it becomes a part of their daily routine.

5. The basic ingredients of Chinese food are water and/or oil.

6. Chinese cooking takes care of everyone's personalized tastes as the food items that can be added to these dishes are quite optional and can be modified as per an individual's choice.

7. The recipe centers on - simply mixing the right items to match up to one's taste.

8. The Chinese recipes do not involve lot of spices. They rather focus on the use of flavorings like cloves, aniseed, ginger root and Sichuan peppercorn.

9. Most oft, the Chinese chefs prefer using more of soy sauce, Shaoxing wine and oyster sauce. These add to the flavor and make the food more presentable.

10. Cooking the ingredients mainly involves some enlisted cooking techniques. These are shallow frying, stir-frying, roasting, deep frying, steaming, red cooking and stewing.

11. Stir frying implies frying the food at a very high heat in very little oil. In this case the food is cooked quite quickly as it is necessarily sliced in very small sized pieces.

12. In case of steaming, Chinese cooking traditionally involves the use of bamboo steamers. The bamboo steamers consist of a stack on their top so as to steam several items simultaneously.

13. To cook the larger pieces of meat, red cooking is the trick used in Chinese cooking.

14. Last but not the least, Chinese food features two key ingredients that are noodles and rice. People across the globe identify the Chinese culinary with noodles and rice. They are not only fast to cook but are also quite good to taste.

From being an indispensable fraction of the restaurant industry worldwide, to the households across the globe, the Chinese cuisine is loved by one and all.

It is quite simple to cook and with some tips and tricks, all of us can learn this cultural cooking.

Abhishek is really passionate about Cooking and he has got some great Cooking Secrets. up his sleeves! Download his FREE 88 Pages Ebook, "Cooking Mastery!" from his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com/770/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking---14-Key-Features-Defining-The-Tradition&id=1663532

Chinese Cooking Wok - Master The Art Of Traditional Chinese Cooking

Chinese Cooking Wok - Master The Art Of Traditional Chinese Cooking
By Abhishek Agarwal

Chinese cooking has become one of the most popular ethnic foods of American culture today. While many people think that to get good Chinese food they must hit their local Chinese restaurant, this isn't at all the case; good Chinese cooking can be done right at home with your own wok!

Many kitchen supply stores have caught up with the demand for Chinese cooking utensils; many home cooks are trying their hand at this delicious ethnic cuisine right in their own homes. While fresh ingredients are essential to Chinese cooking, so is the use of a wok. Don't be fooled, however, there are many poor replicas on the market that won't give you the test you're looking for.

The wok is characterized by it's round bottom shape, and is hammered by hand to ensure the perfect curve. The round bottom allows much less oil to be used, and therefore, food stays healthier without being saturated in cooking oil. It also is the best shape for turning the vegetables for that perfect stir-fry. The wok can also be used for purposes like braising, steaming stewing, and deep-frying, and the preparation of soups.

Many American versions of the wok have been modified to accommodate the American stove with a slightly flat bottom to set on the burner. A ring is also placed on the bottom to allow the wok stability while cooking. The American cook will also have their choice of handles; loop handles and stick handles will be the first decision to be made. The loop is the common choice of many chefs and is made of bare metal. Stick handles on the other hand are made of carbon steel and often coated with Teflon for safety purposes. The double-handed wok is also much more popular than a single handle. There are also a variety of different sizes available; 36 centimeters is a good size for family purposes; the larger sizes are used for restaurant kitchens.

For the home cook still nervous about trying their hand at Chinese cooking, there are a few more options. Many cooking classes have popped up throughout the country to teach Chinese cooking techniques. Whether for just one Saturday afternoon, or a weekly class, this is a great way to learn a few things about traditional Chinese culture, while learning to master the art of Chinese food. The most important thing is to not be afraid of the technique; while it's vastly different from what goes on in American kitchens, it is for that reason that Chinese cooking has become such a staple in American culture.

Abhishek is a cooking enthusiast! Visit his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com and download his FREE Cooking Report "Master Chef Secrets" and learn some amazing Cooking tips and tricks for FREE! Learn how to create the perfect meal on a shoe-string budget. And yes, you get to keep all the accolades! But hurry, only limited Free copies available!

http://www.Cooking-Guru.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking-Wok---Master-The-Art-Of-Traditional-Chinese-Cooking&id=866489

3 Must-Have Utensils For The Perfect Chinese Cooking Experience!

3 Must-Have Utensils For The Perfect Chinese Cooking Experience!
By Abhishek Agarwal

Many recipes contain little known facts and tips that new learners may not be aware of and the importance of buying and using the right equipment for getting the perfect flavoring is one of them. For Oriental cuisine such as Chinese cooking, the importance of making the meals in the right Chinese cooking utensils cannot be emphasized more than simply stating that when cooking in the traditionally used cookware, the true nutrients and flavors are released from the ingredients, giving an authentic Oriental tang to the food!

The main concept behind the distinct taste to Chinese cooking is the right combination of all ingredients used in the recipes, chopping and preparing them right and then cooking the food in a certain preferred method in the proper Chinese cooking utensils. The US fortunately has no dearth of shops where one can purchase the many varieties of traditional Chinese cookware and thus, putting together an authentic Chinese meal is an easy and tasteful task!

1. Wok :

Among the most popularly used and multipurpose kitchen vessels used for Chinese cooking is the wok, which has a pan-like shape to it, much like a big, hollow and curved dish. The wok is generally used for deep-frying, shallow frying or stir-frying, steaming, sauteing and for making stews and though traditionally, it was constructed out of heavy iron or steel, newer materials are being used to make woks today, most of which come fitted with a handle on either side.

In the olden days, Woks were also made of clay or mud, were round-bottomed and so they fit perfectly over the conventional cooking unit. Due to the rounded bottom, the Wok ensured all the foodstuff was cooked just right as it got uniform heat spread over its bottom. The present day Wok (made of stainless-steel and fitted with flat copper bottoms) is also intended to rest securely on the cooking range and comes fitted with one long handle; they are light-weight and thus easier to use as compared to the double handled variants.

2. Chinese Spatula :
There is something called the Chinese spatula, a great cooking support tool ideal for low-oil cooking, such as stir frying. Its bowl edge has a rounded shape to it for fitting in better into the pan for easier and faster stirring even for generous amounts of food! The Chinese spatula is mostly used for shredding garlic, chopping vegetables into subtle shapes and cracking fresh water chestnuts and besides this handy Chinese cooking tool, authentic Chinese chefs are partial to using cleavers made of high carbon steel (gives a sharp edge for cutting) for cutting meat if a meat-grinder is not available.

3. Bamboo Steamer :
A bamboo steamer is the next important piece of Chinese cooking utensils that double up as a serving tray; typically placed over hot water in a wok, it encourages food to get cooked by steam at the same time. The broad, flat, wire mesh with a long bamboo handle is also used for taking out deep-fried or boiled food from a dish and the Chinese clay pots are regarded as the eastern variety of the US casserole dish, used for stove-top cooking. Its construction ensures food stays hot for long periods and maintains its flavor!

Abhishek is a cooking enthusiast! Visit his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com and download his FREE Cooking Report "Master Chef Secrets" and learn some amazing Cooking tips and tricks for FREE! Learn how to create the perfect meal on a shoe-string budget. And yes, you get to keep all the accolades! But hurry, only limited Free copies available! http://www.Cooking-Guru.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal
http://EzineArticles.com/?3-Must-Have-Utensils-For-The-Perfect-Chinese-Cooking-Experience!&id=837355

Chinese Cooking Tips For Chinese Food Recipes

Chinese Cooking Tips For Chinese Food Recipes
By Craig Chambers

Chinese cooking night is a wonderful tradition that my family has created over the years and one that we have all come to love! On this special night once a month, my aunts, grandmas, parents and even my two brothers and their families clear their hectic schedules and gather around the family kitchen to whip up a savory and delicious meal straight from the Orient. Why Chinese food, you ask? Of all the different cuisines we have tried throughout the years, Chinese recipes are easy to follow, the food is delicious and Chinese cooking sauces have become our favorite. Their adaptability and variety of flavorful spices is loved by the whole family.

One thing we learned very early on is that Chinese food and Chinese cooking are greatly complimented by the key ingredients of the sauces. You can see this very easily in the American Chinese food cooking trends. It is mainly a mixture of vegetables enhanced with Chinese sauces. These cooking sauces are used as garnishes and in preparing many types of delicious authentic recipes. Most of our favorite Chinese dishes, like noodles and fried rice are made with a variety of spices and sauces making them very popular and savory meals.

In America, Chinese food has been used in ways that are non-traditional and has taken on some of its own new traditions. Their sauces have become famous as dipping sauces and cooking sauces that are mainly used for different types of meat dishes like pork or chicken. Sweet and sour sauce was originally used as a simple sauce for fish dishes in different parts of the world but was used to create American-Chinese dishes such as sweet and sour chicken when it was introduced in America. Along with sweet and sour sauce, some other types of sauces used in America to enhance flavor in popular Chinese foods such as noodles, fried rice and other Chinese dishes are chili oil, oyster sauce and garlic sauce.

Chinese cooking with its tasty dipping sauces is also a fun way to liven up a meal and something that my children love! Try serving the dipping sauces in a small bowl along with the meal to accompany Chinese appetizers like pot stickers, spring rolls and egg rolls. Let the kids have their own bowl to dip and watch their faces light up. One of the main reasons my family loves Chinese cuisine is that there are so many different types of flavors that can be easily incorporated into everyday meals. Some of the most famous are chili oil, sweet and sour sauce, hot mustard and garlic sauce. Chili oil is made from chili peppers and is normally used in stir-fry and to enhance the flavor of other dishes such as noodles. Another favorite and one that has been used for many centuries in China is sweet and sour sauce. Its main ingredients of sugar and wedding vinegar make it a very popular choice and one that adds savory flavor to Chinese dishes when combined with tomato sauce. Garlic sauce and hot mustard sauce are great sauces that work well with a variety of Chinese appetizers. Any of these sauces are easy to make and will give your meal that special oriental flavor your family will love!

Because Chinese cooking sauces are an easy way add great flavor to Chinese meals and are so adaptable, they have become very popular in China and around the world...making Chinese food a truly international cuisine. It is easy to experiment with all the many sauces and spices Chinese food has to offer and even come up with your own favorite combinations! From sweet and sour sauce to garlic and hot mustard, Chinese cuisine and its many sauces have proven to be an all time favorite that my family loves. Try it out on your family and I am sure that they too will look forward to your special night of Chinese cooking.

Craig Chambers is a cooking enthusiast who enjoys Chinese cooking [http://www.cookingyourbest.com/chinese] and offers an extensive free cooking guide, recipes, resources and cooking tips on his website [http://www.cookingyourbest.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_Chambers
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking-Tips-For-Chinese-Food-Recipes&id=639419

Why You Should Learn Authentic Chinese Cooking

Why You Should Learn Authentic Chinese Cooking
By Ryan Yerffle

There are many reasons why people learn to do things. If you are planning to pull up your sleeves to do some cooking, then you better start right. Cooking good food is not just about mixing ingredients together. There is more to it than just putting a pan on the stove and throwing in a few materials in it. If you want to learn how to cook, then the first thing that you have to do is to decide what kind of cuisine you want to cook. Focusing on one kind of cuisine at a time is easier and more effective. One thing that is worth knowing in the kitchen is authentic Chinese cooking. Now, what are the benefits of learning this skill, if not art? Take a look at the pointers below and start the first step to cooking? learning the first step about the cuisine you choose.

One benefit of learning authentic Chinese cooking is the fact that you give yourself and your family a bigger chunk of healthy food. Authentic Chinese cooking uses health as one of its primary goals. In fact, many of the dishes in traditional Chinese are based on the principles of health and healing. So if you want to give your family healthy meals, then learning how to cook Chinese meals right is basic. This can be proven with the fact that Chinese cooking mainly uses herbs and vegetables while staying low on the meat.

Another reason why you should learn authentic Chinese cooking is for you to enjoy hot and delicious meals at home. True enough, you can easily eat out in a Chinese restaurant. You can also easily order some Chinese food to go. However, there is a huge difference in authentic Chinese cooking than the kind of food served at Chinese fast food restaurants and take out joints. If you learn how to cook real Chinese meals in your own kitchen, then you can satisfy your palate to your expectations without the expense and the unwanted grease.

Once you learn the basics of authentic Chinese cooking, then you would not take much time at all in the kitchen. Most Chinese dishes are prepared fast and easy. One classic example is stir-fried dishes. It can take only a few minutes to cook an entire stir-fried meal. This means that while the finished product would be very delectable, the preparation would not take too much of your efforts especially when you have already mastered the food preparation and cooking basics.

Lastly, it is worth your time and efforts to learn authentic Chinese cooking because it is easy to do so. Nowadays, you do not have to take formal classes nor do you have to be from Chinatown just to learn the proper way of cooking Chinese meals. Nowadays, you can learn even without leaving your home. You can maximize the resources on the Web. There are many websites and blogs that focus on Chinese cooking. You can get not only basic Chinese food preparation lessons but also hundreds of possible recipes that you can try at home. You can practice cooking in your own kitchen and have your own palate be the judge if you have learned your lessons right.

Ryan Yerffle tries to stay warm during the long cold winters in Chicago. He likes to sit inside by the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa instead of braving the frigid cold outside. Ryan has a site with reviews of indoor outdoor thermometers [http://www.indooroutdoorthermometers.net/], as well as a review of an outdoor clock and thermometer [http://www.indooroutdoorthermometers.net/articles/outdoor-clock-and-thermometer.html].

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Yerffle
http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-You-Should-Learn-Authentic-Chinese-Cooking&id=3583450

Chinese Cooking Techniques and Tips You Can Do at Home

Chinese Cooking Techniques and Tips You Can Do at Home
By Carolyn Anderson

Traditional Chinese cooking is known to be a healthy way of cooking. Aside from having more vegetables in their ingredients, the Chinese cooking techniques are also quick and allow the nutrients to be retained in the food.

One thing that makes Chinese cooking appealing is that, recipes often include fresh vegetables that make the dishes bright-colored and crisp. Indeed, Chinese cooking techniques allow vegetables to appear bright-colored, appealing, and not overcooked. Usually, vegetables are stir-fried or blanched to retain the color, texture and of course the nutrient content, thus giving you a healthier meal.

One technique in Chinese cooking is that, a variety of vegetables and meat are added in one dish to have balance, and there are more of the vegetables than the meat. Meat is usually just added for flavor and not the main attraction of the dish. Because Chinese cooking often promotes variety as well as the yin and yang combination of ingredients, it is a lot healthier than meat-centered dishes.

Stir-frying is one of the popular Chinese cooking techniques that allow quicker cooking time but it also means you have to prepare everything you need before starting to cook. You have to make sure you have done all the cutting of vegetables and meat which may involve, mincing, dicing, slicing or crushing. Meat is often chilled in the freezer before cooking to make it easier to prepare and slice. Cutting the vegetables as you cook will not be good in this cooking technique as it can ruin your dishes or overcook your ingredients.

Keep in mind though that in stir-frying vegetables, you have to keep in mind that softer, more tender and leafy vegetables go last in the wok. If you are not quite sure which of the vegetables cook easily and what vegetables should go first, you can stir-fry them separately and combine them later, keeping in mind always not to overcook them.

Steaming is also another commonly used technique in Chinese cooking that also promotes healthier dishes as no oil is used and lesser nutrients are washed away with water. You can steam any Chinese recipes - from dumplings to vegetables and meat and get the flavor as well as the nutrients of the dishes.

Double boiling is another technique that is quite similar to steaming but uses the boiling water as well as the steam to cook the food. This is done by half immersing the casserole of ingredients into the boiling water inside a larger pot, covered by its lid. This will allow the food to be cooked by the boiling water as well as the steam coming from it.

For some other Chinese cooking techniques, you can also substitute meat with tofu or bean curd, substitute salt or lessen salt by adding more herbs and spices to the dishes. Spices is important part of cooking the Chinese way and among the spices that you can use to make healthier and better tasting dishes are ginger, Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, Chinese hot mustard and many other Chinese herbs and spices that are not only providing flavor to your dishes, but also have medicinal and health benefits as well.

Carolyn Anderson loves to experiment and explore healthy ways of cooking. To have access to hundreds of healthy Chinese recipes you can do at home, check out Healthy Chinese Cooking. Also check out Americas Most Wanted Recipes, a great guide for you to learn to cook like a master chef.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_Anderson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking-Techniques-and-Tips-You-Can-Do-at-Home&id=3271793

Chinese Cooking Supplies - Things You Need Before Learning Chinese Cuisine

Chinese Cooking Supplies - Things You Need Before Learning Chinese Cuisine
By Abhishek Agarwal

Chinese cooking calls for the highest of creative culinary preparations and forms of presenting dishes besides asking for a basic set of Chinese cooking supplies. If you are one of the many people who crave the taste of authentic Chinese meals and want to whip up delicious dishes with a distinct Oriental taste, you?d be better off hoping for the perfect recipe achievement if you know how to draw the best out of this rich and varied culture of Chinese cooking, almost an art-form!

The lovers of Chinese food abound everywhere in the world, irrespective of geographical boundaries and ethnic orientations because the generous dose of spices and cultural limitations. The highly spiced and true Chinese dishes are cooked with the intention of serving all kinds of palates! Thus, the whole culture of using Chinese cooking supplies along with knowledge of the appropriate dining etiquette and suitable dishes for festival time besides specific uses of Chinese herbs and flavors according to their individual properties is what has popularized this cuisine globally.

When we speak about authentic Chinese cooking supplies being essential to bringing out the right flavors and nutrients in a dish, we are actually referring to the purchase and use of the appropriate utensils and other paraphernalia that professional chefs in China are accustomed to using for preparation of top-class Chinese meals. Thus, some basic Chinese cooking supplies that will add authenticity to the whole picture of preparing and presenting a Chinese meal include a wok, tang chi, iron Palette, rolling pin and the obvious - chopsticks! There are many more, but these few items form the basic list of necessary cooking gear used in Chinese meal preparation and eating with chopsticks an art that replaces using cutlery like forks and knives, which the Chinese despise as they associate it with hostility and their chopsticks are symbols of compassion and generosity. At times, foreigners find it difficult to use chopsticks during a meal but the Chinese love it as it is believed they add flavor and fun to eating noodles.

Among the most useful of Chinese cooking utensils is the Wok; it has many uses and is generally used for an array of services such as stir frying, steam-cooking, making stews and giving food a smoked flavor! Broad, sharp knives are favored by Chinese chefs for multipurpose chopping, dicing and carving meat, veggies and fruit dishes besides to julienne special stir-fried foods. A favored way of cooking buns, chicken and meat is steaming while noodles are boiled in sieves made of wire.

The conventional form of cooking Chinese meals using Chinese cooking supplies provides for health, happiness and balance in all aspects of enjoying a meal and therefore the stress laid on acquiring and using utensils that help cook the food right, fast and in flavorful manner - be it commercially or in a home-kitchen.

Abhishek is really passionate about Cooking and he has got some great Cooking Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 88 Pages Ebook, "Cooking Mastery!" from his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com/770/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking-Supplies---Things-You-Need-Before-Learning-Chinese-Cuisine&id=1663521

Chinese Cooking - It Is Best Learned In A Chinese Culinary School

Chinese Cooking - It Is Best Learned In A Chinese Culinary School
By Abhishek Agarwal

For the person looking to broaden their understanding of Chinese cooking, the Chinese Culinary Arts School is the perfect solution. This offers the student flexibility; a person certainly doesn't have to go every day, once on the weekends is a great option. It also helps the cook to understand the different ingredients and flavors used in traditional Chinese cuisine. Thus from the comfort of his/her city one can learn to cook Chinese dishes.

The Chinese see their cuisine as an art form; to learn the art of Chinese cooking is to learn about the long and fascinating culture of China. A home cook cannot expect to jump into a traditional Chinese recipe and expect to master it; the recipe requires fine-tuning and adapting to suit the tastes of the diner.

Oftentimes Chinese culinary arts schools offer a sort of Chinese fusion cuisine; taking traditional Chinese cooking and adding American flare. Many Americans find authentic Chinese not quite perfect for their palette, so Chinese fusion aims to combine the two in just the right balance to appeal to the American diner while still maintaining the authentic flare of traditional Chinese cuisine.

To find a Chinese cooking school in your area the best place to start in by searching online. Many schools have websites outlining exactly what they offer, and the rates to attend. A student can choose to take only one class on the weekend to get a brief introduction, or to sign up for a class that is offered many weeks to gain a more in-depth understanding of Chinese cuisine. What is great about the Chinese cooking school is the professional chefs teaching the classes. Oftentimes they have a very intimate knowledge of Chinese cuisine and are able to adapt it to the American palette seamlessly.

Some famous Chinese cooking schools are located in the Pacific Northwest, such as Melissa Mei Hsu's school in Washington State; the class is instructed from a bed and breakfast kitchen in Seattle, and emphasizes authentic cuisine with healthy, fresh ingredients. There is another world renowned Chinese cooking school in Ottawa that it's famous for it's fresh and healthy cooking techniques.

Other Chinese cooking classes offer a more American-Chinese fusion cuisine to the home cook. Regardless of which class is right for you, learning the techniques of cooking Chinese food is a fun-filled way to learn a lot about a fascinating culture and gain a new and fresh perspective in the kitchen.

Abhishek is a cooking enthusiast! Visit his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com and download his FREE Cooking Report "Master Chef Secrets" and learn some amazing Cooking tips and tricks for FREE! Learn how to create the perfect meal on a shoe-string budget. And yes, you get to keep all the accolades! But hurry, only limited Free copies available.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking---It-Is-Best-Learned-In-A-Chinese-Culinary-School&id=941142

Chinese Cooking Blogs - Learn The Best Chinese Cooking Tips Using Internet Blogs!

Chinese Cooking Blogs - Learn The Best Chinese Cooking Tips Using Internet Blogs!
By Abhishek Agarwal

For those interested in learning more about Chinese cooking, the Chinese cooking blog is the perfect place to start. A blog is a journal posted online for other people to view. Many of these are popping up all over the internet for thousands of different purposes. Sometimes people can join at no cost and post their own favorite Chinese recipes, or a talented chef runs the blog and posts his own tips and tricks for Chinese cooking, sometimes everyday.

While many people may be familiar with Chinese food from their local restaurant, few actually try to debunk the mystery behind it and try it for themselves. Chinese food, with a little knowledge and a few tips, isn't as hard as it may seem. The most important thing when cooking Chinese is finding the freshest ingredients available, and be brave! Just because you didn't grow up eating some of the exotic ingredients doesn't mean they don't taste great! Trying your hand at Chinese cooking can be a great way to learn more about the culture and traditions of this centuries old culture.

Another great thing about the Chinese cooking blog is that many of the members will post videos of them cooking the different recipes. This can be the equivalent of your own personal chef in-home! Some blogs also have special videos devoted to finding and using certain popular Chinese ingredients, or certain techniques used by Chinese chefs.

Common ingredients of Chinese cooking are a good blend of carbohydrates such as rice or noodles, and vegetables like capsicum, beans, or cabbage. Chinese cooking also incorporates a lot of protein like chicken, fish and lamb. There are also many tools in the Chinese kitchen that may be unfamiliar to you; the wok is probably the most widely used tool and can be found at any kitchen supply store.

Because there are so many Chinese cooking blogs out there, sampling a few of them is a good idea. You will undoubtedly find your favorite one, whether it is because of the plethora of videos available, or the daily recipes offered. There will also be different levels of Chinese cooking; some will focus on traditional Chinese cooking done in the typical Chinese home, while others may focus on Chinese fusion cuisine done by top chefs throughout China and the world. Whichever you find your preference is, always have an open mind and look forward to learning a whole new way to cook and entertain!

Abhishek is a cooking enthusiast! Visit his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com and download his FREE Cooking Report "Master Chef Secrets" and learn some amazing Cooking tips and tricks for FREE! Learn how to create the perfect meal on a shoe-string budget. And yes, you get to keep all the accolades! But hurry, only limited Free copies available!

http://www.Cooking-Guru.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal
http://EzineArticles.com/?Chinese-Cooking-Blogs---Learn-The-Best-Chinese-Cooking-Tips-Using-Internet-Blogs!&id=864613

Spice-Up Your Meals With A Dash Of Chinese Cooking Sauces!

Spice-Up Your Meals With A Dash Of Chinese Cooking Sauces!
By Abhishek Agarwal

Think of Chinese cooking methods and you can't help but imagine putting in a dash of Chinese cooking sauces, which work to balance the flavors in a meal and to bring out the best taste in each ingredient as they release the nutrients and act as a flavoring agent too!

Thus Chinese cooking sauces are an integral part of Chinese cooking and one of the main ingredients of this Oriental culture's culinary delights, even though most chefs following the American-style of cooking Chinese food first cook up the vegetables and then use various Chinese sauces as an add-on (garnishing and innovating on the existing Chinese recipes). Some of the popular Chinese dishes that make extensive use of Chinese cooking sauces are fried rice, Manchurian and noodles, working to perk their taste and add distinctiveness to the meal.

The Americans refer to the Chinese sauces as dipping sauces since they typically use it as a base to prepare pork and chicken dishes; what began as a sweet and sour sauce used to flavor fish recipes around the world was converted into a ketchup when it came to America and thus we have the now-famous American-Chinese dishes that give a sweet and sour taste, especially Chicken dishes! America regards Chinese dipping sauce, chili-oil based sauces and those with sweet-sour flavorings to be as vital as the oyster sauce and garlic variety and so these do well in most Chinese meals prepared in this continent besides atypical in putting together fried rice and noodle preparations.

Pot stickers and spring rolls are some popular dishes that make extensive use of Chinese dipping sauce's and at times, these can be served as a flavoring along side other dishes. In the Chinese cooking sauces using Chili oil (obtained from chili peppers), the purpose is to fire-up the dish of stir-fried veggies, rice or meat and bring out the nutrient value, so even a few drops do the trick!

Thus, we find that the use of Chinese cooking sauces extends to daily fare preparation to fancy cooking and even world cuisine since different sauces have distinct properties that can be used to jazz up dishes, lending them a sweet, to sweet-sour or hot element since the essential ingredients are sugar and wedding vinegar, but once tomato sauce has been added to the sweet and sour sauce, you can lick your lips for the most delicious dishes imaginable that can be made with this combo!

Last and most importantly, Chinese cooking sauces are so vital to the concept of easy, quick and authentic flavoring that can be provided for many dishes because they are so simple to use. For example, hot mustard dip tastes great with starters such as spring rolls and egg rolls and garlic sauce (a mix of oyster sauce and finely chopped garlic) is a grand accompaniment for meals too. Mix and match is a theme that works well to build your knowledge of making flavorful dishes with seasonings originating in China but a global taste to the Chinese cooking sauces.

Abhishek is a cooking enthusiast! Visit his website http://www.Cooking-Guru.com and download his FREE Cooking Report "Master Chef Secrets" and learn some amazing Cooking tips and tricks for FREE! Learn how to create the perfect meal on a shoe-string budget. And yes, you get to keep all the accolades! But hurry, only limited Free copies available! http://www.Cooking-Guru.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal
http://EzineArticles.com/?Spice-Up-Your-Meals-With-A-Dash-Of-Chinese-Cooking-Sauces!&id=837366