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Honey- mustard pork roast

The 8 Culinary Traditions of China


Chinese Recipes- In a country where the traditional way to greet someone translates to 'have you eaten yet?' (ni chile ma), be rest assured, the food will be extraordinary. China has the most popular culinary heritage in the world. The history of their cuisine dates back to about 1000 years with varied cooking styles, techniques and ingredients that have evolved over time.
A typical Chinese meal will have two things - a carbohydrate or starch like noodles, rice or buns, and accompanying stir fries or dishes of veggies, fish and meat. They use a lot of fresh vegetables like mushroom, water chestnuts, bamboo and even tofu. In North China, wheat-based accompaniments like noodles and steamed buns dominate the table, in contrast to South China where rice is a favourite. The short-grain sticky rice, grown throughout Southern China, is irresistible.
Chinese cuisine is as diverse as their culture where every region writes up a new menu. Cooking styles, ingredients, flavours - all differ from region to region. The most prominent regional cuisines in China are:
Anhui, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong,Szechuan and Zhejiang.



Cantonese cuisine is famous all over the world for its distinctive style. Most dishes are steamed and stir-frying which makes it healthy and non-greasy. Here the dishes are tender, slightly sweet and with a mellow fragrance.

Shandong cuisine originated in East China and mostly features seafood as it is a coastal province. You'll find scallops, clams, sea cucumbers and just about everything on the menu. They heavily rely on salty flavours.

Zhejiang cuisine also thrives on seafood, but focuses more on soft, fresh flavours. Their food is known to have a delicate appearance. They are also fond of using bamboo shoots. This province is famous as the 'land of milk and honey.

Similarly, the dishes from Jiangsu region are known for their soft texture. Back in the day, it was a prominent part of ancient China's royal cuisine. Their dishes offer a balance of sweet and salty tastes.

Szechuan cuisine stands out due to the bold, pungent and spicy flavours. The use of Sichuan peppercorn is what makes it unique. This one is for those of you who love the sting.

Anhui cuisine uses a wide variety of herbs and vegetables, especially, fresh bamboo and mushrooms. It also use a lot of wild herbs to enhance the flavour and aroma.

Fujian cuisine is often served in a broth or for cooking styles like braising, stewing, steaming and boiling. The most notable features of this cuisine are - the use of fresh ingredients from the mountains and sea, soup making and a lot of focus on seasonings.

Hunan cuisine is well known for its hot spicy flavor, fresh aroma and deep color. This province is popularly known as the 'land of fish and rice'. It is renowned for its stews, but their cuisine also features a lot of braised and baked dishes.

Eat it Right!

Chinese food is meant to be eaten with chopsticks and you'll find this practice fairly common in all Chinese households. Many, many years ago the use of fork and knife was believed to stand for violence versus chopsticks which represented gentleness and compassion.

Appetizer
Coconut tofu fingers with spicy plum sauce  Print Recipe

Coconut shrimp is a standard appetizer at pubs but not everyone likes seafood or can afford shrimp. Tofu’s firm texture is perfect for the crispy, nutty coating, and it’s even better dunked into our spicy three-ingredient plum sauce. It’s easy, affordable and vegetarian!
Serves: 8
Preparation time:15 minutes
Cooking time:8 minutes
1 pkg (350 g) extra-firm tofu, drained
1 egg
2 tbsp (30 mL) all-purpose flour
1 tbsp (15 mL) cornstarch
1 tsp (5 mL) water
1 cup (250 mL) unsweetened
medium-shred coconut, or more as needed
Canola oil for frying
Salt to taste
1 tsp (5 mL) water until smooth.
Place coconut in a separate shallow bowl.

1/2 cup (125 mL) plum sauce
1 tsp (5 mL) sriracha sauce
1 tsp (5 mL) mayonnaise
1. Cut tofu lengthwise into four even slabs. Cut each slab in half lengthwise and again crosswise.
You will have 16 tofu fingers.Place on a baking sheet linedwith a clean kitchen towel or
paper towel. Drain for 10 minutes, turning occasionally.
2. In a small shallow baking dish, use a fork to stir together
egg, flour, cornstarch and 1 tsp (5 mL) water until smooth.
Place coconut in a separate shallow bowl.

3. Working two at a time, gently coat tofu with egg mixture, letexcess drip off and gently dredge
in coconut. Place on baking sheet.
4. In a large frying pan or skillet, add enough oil to come up sides by 1/2 inch (1 cm). Place over medium heat. Working in two batches, carefully place tofu fingers in hot oil. Cook until golden brown, about 30 seconds per side. (Coconut burns easily,
so watch carefully.) Transfer to a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Season with salt.


5. Whisk together plum sauce, sriracha and mayo in a small bowl and serve with tofu fingers.

Appetizer
Tofu  Print Recipe

Like many soya foods, tofu originated in China. Legend has it that it was discovered about 2000 years ago by a Chinese cook who accidentally curdled soy milk when he added nigari seaweed. Introduced into Japan in the eighth century, tofu was originally called 'okabe'. Made from curdled soybean, tofu is relatively bland in its unadulterated form, but that’s also its secret weapon—once you learn a few tips and tricks, tofu can don almost any sauce or texture .
Preparation time:0 minutes
Tofu


Tofu recipes

The 7 Main Types of Tofu And How to Cook With Them

From Firm to Silken, Know Which Type to Use


Silken Tofu
This style of tofu is complete with minimal curdling and processing, resulting in a product that is delicate in both texture and flavor. There are several ingredients that can be used to coagulate silken tofu, each producing a slightly different effect. For more jiggle and bounce, glucono delta lactone is added, whereas to achieve a softer result, nigari or gypsum is stirred in. Either way, it’s set in the same container it’s made in.
Historically, the Koreans enjoyed silken tofu in their jigae stew, while the Japanese incorporated it into hiyayakko, a simple dish made from chilled tofu and toppings with ginger, scallions, and soy sauce. Now, this doesn’t preclude silken tofu from packing a punch—it’s 40 percent protein, making it a lovely addition to your health-conscious smoothies, sauces, and even desserts.


Medium Tofu
In terms of texture, there is a range between silken and firm tofu that we’ll grant the ambiguous title of “medium.” This category of tofu has an additional step built into the process: pressing. After the soybean is sufficiently curdled, it’s transferred into a press that squeezes out most of its water. How you enjoy medium tofu is a matter of personal preference since its definition isn’t as firm (get it?) as others. That said, most agree it doesn’t hold up well when heavily handled, such as in a stir fry or on the grill. Try dropping it into miso soup or showcasing it in a Szechuan mapo tofu.


Firm Tofu
Firm tofu stands strong in a frying pan and excels as a meatless stand-in for a steak. Here again, this style encompasses several textures and as more water is pressed out of the curd, the firmer it becomes. Most firm varieties are popular in the West, so finding it is typically a cinch. Yet, if you fancy something on the far end of the spectrum such as su ji—a tofu so firm its name literally translates to “vegetarian chicken” in Chinese—your hunt may lead you to an Asian specialty store. If you have a taste for the traditional, try vegetarian potstickers, but if you like to reinvent the norm (and enjoy alliteration) give tofu tacos a go.


Tofu Skins
Also known as yuba in Japanese, tofu skins are made from successively peeling off the top layers that form while simmering soymilk. But if we’re being technical, tofu skins aren’t a tofu product at all—true tofu is made by adding a coagulant, whereas tofu skins coagulate from heat alone. Despite what they lack, tofu skins still make for a toothsome companion in many dishes! They can be found fresh or bought in a package, but if you choose the latter, you’ll need to rehydrate them before using. Serve 'em up as orange sesame yuba rolls or simply nest them in a soup. No matter how you get your hands on them, you’ll soon fall in love with their versatility and easy preparation.


Fermented Tofu
Fermented tofu may sound more dubious than delicious, but many compare its flavor to another familiar and well-loved food: cheese! It’s produced by inoculating tofu with mold, allowing the strains to proliferate for a few days, then packing it with a seasoned brine. There are many varieties of fermented tofu and each carries a distinct flavor, so be careful to follow your recipes precisely. Yet just as with cheese, you need not search long to find a dish it compliments just perfectly. Stir white fermented tofu in your bowl of congee or add red fermented tofu into a dipping sauce, destined for hot pot.


Aburaage Tofu
Mexico has the tortilla, Greece has the pita, and Poland has the pierogi—no matter where you are in the world, people enjoy stuffing their food into pockets and eating it. Aburaage is Japan’s answer to this. To make aburaage, tofu is cut into thin slices and fried until it puffs up and hollows out, ready for a variety of fillings. Although cooking with aburaage is a cinch, it’s best to boil it first to remove excess oil. Looking for something unhampered and delicious? Enter inarizushi. Or perhaps you craving a remix on your usual soup routine. This recipe for kitsune udon noodles should do the trick.


Shredded Tofu
In theory, shredded tofu is similar to other soy-based noodles, but in practice, they are light years tastier. You’ll likely spot them at an Asian specialty store sitting in their crinkly packaging, hankering to be used in any one of your usual noodle dishes. Just as with typical pastas, you’ll need to boil them first, but then it’s game on. Drizzle chili oil on top of a cold or hot shredded tofu noodle salad for a no-fail addition to your meal spread. Or drop them in the work with heaps of vegetables for a low-carb take on a noodle stir fry.



Source: www.thespruceeats.com

Main
Brochettes of pork with rosemary  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
1 pound lean boneless pork, cubed
For marinade:
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon chopped rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon chopped parsley
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/4 ground black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 wine vinegar
Combine marinade ingredients in a glass bowl. Mix pork cubes into marinade for 1 hour. Remove pork from marinade, and thread through skewers. Broil on a charcoal grill.

Main
Cantonese noodles  Print Recipe

Tangles of rice vermicelli, a fragrant dusting of curry powder, and a medley of Asian vegetables and proteins form the base of this Cantonese—not Singaporean—classic
Serves: 2
Preparation time:40 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
• 3½ oz. dried rice vermicelli
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 7–8 medium shrimp (3 oz.), shelled and deveined
• Kosher salt
• 2 small shallots, finely minced (¼ cup)
• One 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled and minced (1 Tbsp.)
• 3 medium garlic cloves, finely minced (1 tsp.)
• 2½ tsp. yellow curry powder
• 1 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1⁄2 small yellow onion, thinly sliced with the grain (¼ cup)
• 1 medium scallion, thinly sliced (¼ cup)
• 1 stalk Chinese chives, thinly sliced (¼ cup)
• 1⁄2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (⅓ cup)
• 1⁄3 cup soybean sprouts
• 3 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp vegetable oil, divided
• 1 Tbsp. Shaoxing wine *
• 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 tsp. sesame oil
• 10-15 slices (about 3 oz.) char siu (Chinese barbecued pork) or lap cheong (Chinese sausage, thinly sliced
• Cilantro sprigs, for garnish
1. Cook the vermicelli: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, then drop the noodles in, stir well, and cook just until tender, 50–60 seconds. Drain well and set the noodles aside to dry in a large sieve for 20-30 minutes, tossing occasionally to prevent clumping.
2. Meanwhile, heat a wok over medium heat, then add a teaspoon of vegetable oil, swirling to coat the surface. Pour the eggs into the center of the wok, then immediately tilt and swirl the pan to form a thin, even layer. Cook until the egg is thoroughly set, 2-3 minutes, then transfer it to a heat-resistant cutting board and set aside until cool enough to handle. Roll the omelet up tightly, slice into ¼-inch wide strips, and set aside by the stove.
3. Return the wok to high heat and add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, swirling to coat the surface. When the oil begins to smoke, add the shrimp, season with a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring frequently, until they are pink and just barely cooked through, about 1 minute. Use a slotted spoon or a wok spatula to remove the shrimp from the wok and set them by the stove along with the sliced egg.
4. Use a dry paper towel to wipe the wok clean, then return it to high heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoon vegetable oil, swirling to coat the surface. When the oil begins to smoke, add the shallots, ginger, and garlic and cook, stirring continuously until fragrant but not yet colored, 30-60 seconds. Add the curry powder, turmeric, and a pinch of salt and continue cooking, stirring continuously, until the spices are completely incorporated into the aromatics and smell faintly toasted, 1-2 minutes. Add the onion and continue cooking just until softened, 2–3 minutes, then, add the scallions, Chinese chives, red bell pepper, and beansprouts and cook, stirring continuously, for 30 seconds. Add the reserved noodles, along with the Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Using a pair of chopsticks or tongs, lift and toss the noodles to loosen them, allowing them to fry evenly, and incorporating them with the liquids and vegetables. Add the reserved eggs, the char siu or ham, and the shrimp and give the mixture a few final tosses in the wok until the proteins are heated through. Transfer the noodle mixture to a plate, garnish with a few sprigs of cilantro, and serve immediately.
Shaoxing wine
Shaoxing wine is one of the most famous varieties of huangjiu, or traditional Chinese wines, fermented from rice. It originates from the region of Shaoxing, in the Zhejiang province of eastern China. It is widely used as both a beverage and a cooking wine in Chinese cuisine.
The best substitutes for Shaoxing Wine / Chinese Cooking Wine are:
• Dry sherry – just every day dry sherry;
• Mirin – a Japanese sweet cooking wine;
• Cooking Sake / Japanese Rice Wine – this is a bit lighter in flavor than Chinese cooking wine, but is an acceptable substitute.

Main
Chinese black bean sauce  Print Recipe

This versatile Chinese sauce adds intense umami to a dish. You can buy black bean sauce at a grocery store, but the homemade version is much more fragrant. Chinese fermented black beans (dou chi) are made from soybeans fermented in salt (the black color comes from fermentation). They are a staple in a huge array of Chinese dishes and are prominently used in Cantonese cooking, adding a complexity of flavor that is even deeper than soy sauce. This sauce can be used in fried rice, noodle dishes, and stir-fries. Ingredients Cooks' Note Unless you use very potent chile peppers (such as Thai peppers), the sauce won’t be spicy. Use dried Chinese chile peppers to infuse more aroma into the sauce; dried Korean and Mexican chiles work too. If you do want a spicy sauce, consider blending ½ cup (120 ml) of chili oil into the sauce at the end of cooking or adding 1 teaspoon of cayenne powder with the garlic and ginger in step 5.
Serves: 12
Preparation time:10 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
1 cup (240 g) fermented black beans
⅓ cup (80 ml) grapeseed oil (or any neutral oil)
4 to 6 dried Chinese chile peppers, torn into small pieces
¼ white onion, minced
¼ cup (60 ml) Shaoxing wine or Chinese rice wine (can substitute dry sherry)
¼ cup (60 ml) light soy sauce
¼ cup (50 g) sugar (or brown sugar)
1 head garlic (8 to 10 large cloves), finely minced
1 2-inch piece ginger, finely minced
Step 1
Rinse the fermented black beans with water, then strain and coarsely chop them. I like to leave some bigger pieces of beans to give the sauce more texture.
Step 2
In a medium saucepan, heat the oil and chiles over medium heat until warm. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the chiles turn dark but not black, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes. Scoop out the chiles and discard them.
Step 3
Add the black beans and onion. Cook and stir until the sauce looks a bit dry (the beans will absorb oil at first but release it once they are cooked), 6 to 8 minutes.
Step 4
Add the Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, and sugar. Let simmer, stirring constantly, until the onion turns tender, about 10 minutes. (The sauce can easily burn, so keep the heat low and stir the sauce constantly to ensure even cooking.)
Step 5
Add the garlic and ginger and continue to cook and stir the sauce until the onion turns extremely tender and is melting into the sauce texture, 5 minutes or so. You should see oil floating on top. Transfer the sauce to a large bowl to cool completely.
Step 6
Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

Main
Chow yuk  Print Recipe

Serves: 4
Preparation time:20 minutes
Cooking time:12 minutes
2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sherry wine
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons chicken broth
1 tablespoons cornstarch
1 pound lean pork loin, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon minced garlic clove
1/4 teaspoon grated ginger
1 cup sliced onion
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup sliced red pepper
1 cup sliced snow peas
1 tablespoons canola oil
In a mixing bowl, combine the first five ingredients.
Heat a wok on high heat. Add oil. Slosh around. Stir fry pork with garlic and ginger until meat is whitish.
Add the gravy ingredients and stir until sauce is thickened. Add onion, celery and mushrooms, tossing for a while. Finely, add snow peas and mix for about 2 minutes. Serve with soy sauce.

Main
General tso chicken  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
for the chicken:
1 pound chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 egg white
3 tablespoons cornstarch

sauce:
1 teaspoon canola oil
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon minced ginger
few tablespoons of chopped green onion
dried red chilies (optional)
3/4 cup chicken stock or water
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/2 tablespoon chili/garlic paste
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch (for a thinner sauce, start with a tablespoon)

rice:
1 cup jasmine or basmati rice
1 3/4 cups water
generous pinch of salt
Bring the water and salt to a boil, add the rice, stir and cover. Cook for 20 minutes over low heat. Turn the heat off, let set for 10 minutes, fluff with a fork.


Cook the rice:
Bring the water and salt to a boil, add the rice, stir and cover. Cook for 20 minutes over low heat. Turn the heat off, let set for 10 minutes, fluff with a fork.

Marinate the chicken
Combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, egg white and cornstarch in a medium bowl. Whisk together to a creamy consistency.
Toss the chicken in batter to coat. Allow to sit while preparing the sauce.

Make the sauce
Heat canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic, ginger, green onions and red chiles (if using) and stir around until very fragrant - 30 seconds to a minute.
Add in the chicken stock or water.Then add the sesame oil, soy sauce, tomato paste, rice wine vinegar, chili/garlic paste, and the brown sugar. Mix this together very well and bring it up to a boil.
Adjust the taste to make the sauce spicier or sweeter adding a little more vinegar for extra tang.
Combine a few tablespoons of the the warm sauce in a measuring cup with 1 1/2 tablespoons of cornstarch and whisk until there are no clumps.
Pour that mixture back into the sauce pan and let boil for a few minutes until thick.
Set the heat to low.

Cook the chicken
Heat a pan over medium high heat with a small amount of oil covering the entire bottom. Make sure the oil is very hot before you add the chicken.
Cook the chicken in multiple batches for a couple of minutes on each side to get it crisp and golden brown on all sides. Use a wire screen to cover the pan as oil may splatter.
Once a batch of chicken is cooked, set it aside on a plate.

Combine chicken and sauce in a clean pan. Mix to combine and let simmer together for a few minutes.
Serve over white rice with chopped green onion and some steamed veggies

Main
Glazed salmon bundles with sesame bok choy  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
4 rice paper wrappers, (rounds 8-1/2 inch/21 cm)
1/4 cup shredded carrot
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion
4 skinless salmon fillets, (about 1-1/4 lb/565 g)
2 tsp vegetable oil
4 tsp hoisin sauce

Sesame Bok Choy:
2 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp granulated sugar
1 tsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
1 tbsp thinly sliced fresh ginger
2 tsp sesame seeds
1 lb (454 g) baby bok choy, quartered
Followed the instructions on the package of rice paper to soften and become pliable.
Remove and arrange in single layer on clean towel; pat dry.

Sprinkle 1 tbsp each of the carrot and green onion in center of each round; top with salmon. Tightly fold rice paper over salmon.

In ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; cook bundles until browned and crisp, 1 minute per side. Brush top and sides with hoisin sauce. Transfer to 400ºF (200ºC) oven; bake until slightly firm to the touch, about 7 minutes.

Sesame Bok Choy: Meanwhile, whisk together soy sauce, sugar and vinegar until sugar is dissolved.

In wok or skillet, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat; stir-fry garlic, ginger and sesame seeds until golden, about 2 minutes. Add bok choy and soy mixture; cover and cook until fork-tender, about 5 minutes. Serve with salmon bundles.

Main
Honey- mustard pork roast  Print Recipe

The sweet and sour spicy sauce is a perfect complement to pork.
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:1 hour 15 minutes
1/2 cup beer
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
6 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary or 1 tablespoon dried
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1 2-pound boneless pork loin roast
1/2 cup whipping cream
Whisk first 7 ingredients to blend in a baking dish. Add pork and turn to coat. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour or cover and refrigerate overnight, turning occasionally.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Transfer pork to a roasting pan; reserve marinade.
Roast until thermometer inserted into center registers 150 degrees, about 55 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes. Strain marinade into heavy medium saucepan. Add cream and juices from roasting pan.
Boil sauce until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Slice pork; arrange on platter. Drizzle some sauce over. Serve with remaining sauce separately.

Main
Honey-hoisin grilled lamb chops  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
8 double thick lamb chops, trimmed

For the honey hoisin marinade:
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onions
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
To make the marinade:
In a medium-size bowl, mix together all the marinade ingredients. The marinade can be stored in a lidded glass jar for 4 days.
Place lamb chops in a large mixing bowl, and toss them in the marinade. Allow to marinade for one hour.
Preheat oven to broil. Remove the lamb chops from marinade, and place on a rack resting on a shallow roasting pan.
Broil as close to the heat source as possible for 6 to 8 minutes. Turn the chops over and continue broiling fro another 5 to 6 minutes.
The finished chops should be pink and juicy with a dark brown crust. Serve immediately.

Main
Kung pao tofu  Print Recipe

Kung Pao Tofu is easy to assemble; very tasty sauce and all around great flavor
Serves: 4
Preparation time:10 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon Chinkiang (Chinese black) vinegar
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch, divided
1 pinch salt
14 to 16 ounces firm tofu (depending on package size), drained
vegetable or canola, for cooking
1 (3-inch) pieces ginger, peeled and minced
3 dried chiles (such as Thai or serrano), halved
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 scallions, finely chopped
1 teaspoon toasted, crushed Sichuan peppercorns (optional)
2 tablespoons unsalted or salted roasted peanuts
Cooked rice, for serving
1. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of water, the soy sauces, vinegar, sugar, 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, and salt until well combined.
2. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes and transfer to a large bowl. Rub with the remaining 3 tablespoons of cornstarch until all sides are lightly coated.
3. Pour enough oil to coat the bottom of a large non-stick pan and set it over medium heat. Add the tofu into the hot oil and panfry until golden brown all over, 1 to 3 minutes per side, adding more oil if the pan looks dry at any point. Transfer to a plate.
4. Using the same pan, sauté the ginger until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes, adding more oil if the pan looks dry. Add the chiles, garlic, and white parts of the scallions. Stir-fry for about 1 minute, until the garlic is fragrant.
5. Add the tofu, sauce, and Sichuan peppercorns (if using), then quickly toss until the tofu is evenly coated with sauce, about 1 minute. Fold in the remaining green parts of the scallions and the peanuts.
6. Serve warm with a bowl of rice.

Main
Spicy peanut chicken  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
4 teaspoons smooth peanut butter
3 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons water
2 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried chili peppers
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

4 teaspoons butter
1 medium chopped onion
4 chicken breasts
In a saucepan, combine the first 8 ingredients. Mix well. Heat. Add butter and melt. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Let cool at room temperature. Arrange onion and the chicken breasts in a single layer in a shallow glass or baking dish.
Pour on the marinade and let stand, covered, for an hour or more in the refrigerator.
Cook the chicken about 7 to 8 inches from the broiler heat for about 10 minutes on each side, turning several times during the cooking process.

Main
Steamed bbq pork buns  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:14 minutes
1 tablespoon yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon oil

1 pound shredded BBQ pork
Combine the first four ingredients together. Allow to sit in a warm place 30 minutes
Place in a mixing bowl the next four ingredients, and add the above batter Knead to form a smooth elastic dough.
Allow to rise until double in size.
Sprinkle ½ teaspoon baking powder into 2 tablespoon flour onto counter top and roll out 12 balls of uniform size.
Flatten each ball and place 1 tablespoon shredded BBQ pork or beef in center,.
Steam 2″ above water and ½ ” apart for 12-14 minutes Serve warm

Main
Sticky tofu stir-fry  Print Recipe

A most Flavorful meal! Microwave any leftovers the next day.
Serves: 4
Preparation time:15 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
FOR SERVING: optional
3-4 cups (474-632 g) cooked brown rice
Steamed broccoli
TOFU
1 lb (450 g) extra-firm tofu
4 Tbsp (60 ml) tamari or soy sauce
1 tsp chili garlic sauce
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp (15 ml) coconut sugar or maple syrup
4-5 Tbsp (28-35 g) cornstarch
2 Tbsp (30 ml) canola oil

SAUCE
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 large cloves garlic, minced (1 tablespoon)
1 Tbsp (6 g) ginger, minced
1 Tbsp (15 ml) rice vinegar (or sub white vinegar)
1/4 cup (48 g) coconut sugar or maple syrup, plus more to taste
3 Tbsp tamari or soy sauce,
1/3 cup water

STIR-FRY
1 Tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil
4 green onions, chopped
1 large red or yellow pepper, thinly sliced.
1 Tbsp red pepper sauce (sriracha sauce) or 1 Tbsp chili garlic sauce
optional: Sesame seeds, for garnish
1. Prepare the rice and broccoli.
2. Chop green onions, garlic, and ginger . Set aside.
3. Prepare sauce by combining sesame oil, cornstarch, minced garlic, minced ginger, rice vinegar, coconut sugar or maple syrup, tamari or soy sauce, and water in a small mixing bowl and whisk thoroughly to combine.
4. Unwrap tofu, rinse under cold water; dry well in a towel to remove moisture and cut into even pieces, about 3/4-inch cubes.
5. Add tofu to a shallow mixing bowl and top with tamari or soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, and maple syrup. Toss to combine. Let rest 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Use a slotted spoon or fork to transfer tofu to a quart-size or large freezer bag. Add cornstarch 1 Tbsp at a time and toss to coat. Continue adding more cornstarch and tossing until tofu is coated in a white sticky layer- about 5 Tbsp.
7. Heat a large metal or cast iron skillet over medium heat.
Add 2 Tbsp canola oil and heat for 30 seconds. Then use a slotted spoon or fork to add tofu to the pan.
8. Cook on all sides until light golden brown. Remove tofu from pan. Set aside.
9. Return skillet to burner and increase heat to medium-high. Add 1 Tbsp sesame oil, chopped green onions and sliced peppers . Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
10. Add the sauce and tofu with the red pepper sauce or garlic sauce. Cook, stirring frequently, to coat the tofu and vegetables for 2 minutes, or until warmed the sauce has slightly thickened.
11. Remove pan from heat and add sesame seeds (optional). Toss to coat.
12. Serve with rice and steamed broccoli (optional).

Main
Stir-fried chicken and cashew nuts  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
4 boneless chicken breast
2 cloves minced garlic
1 ounce grated ginger
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 stalks sliced celery
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon oyster sauce
1 cup peas
1/2 cup toasted cashews
Remove skin from chicken and slice into 1 inch cubes. Combine the garlic and ginger.
Slice the mushrooms and celery into thin pieces. Heat wok. Add one half of the oil. Add the chicken cubes. stir gently over medium heat for 2 minutes. Remove from pan and keep warm.
Add remaining oil to pan. When oil is hot, add garlic, ginger and vegetables. Stir fry just until tender crisp. Return chicken to wok.
Add soy sauce, oyster sauce and peas. Stir over medium heat until sauce bubbles. Add the cashews. Serve hot.

Main
Stir-fried chicken thighs  Print Recipe


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
1 pound boneless chicken thighs
1/2 cup beef broth
2 teaspoons dry sherry
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 sliced green onions
1 chopped garlic clove
1 sliced green pepper
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups cooked rice
Rinse chicken thighs. Pat dry and cut into 3/4 inch pieces. Remove any visible fat. Place thigh meat in medium sized bowl. In another bowl, combine beef broth, dry sherry, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar and ginger. Pour enough of the mixture to moisten the thigh meat. Stir well. Marinate 10 minutes. Add cornstarch to remaining broth mixture. Set aside.
In wok or large skillet over high heat, heat oil. Add thigh meat, green onions, and garlic. Stir fry for 3 minutes or until browned. Add green pepper; stir fry one minute longer.
Stir remaining sauce and add to wok. Boil one minute, stirring constantly. Stir in walnuts. Serve immediately over hot rice.

Main
Stir-fried pork tenderloin  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
2 carrots
8 slices peeled ginger, 1/8-inch thick
1/2 pound snow peas
2 scallions
2 pounds pork tenderloin
1/3 cup peanut oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons red wine (pinot noir or Burgundy wine)
1/4 cup soy sauce
Cut the carrots into julienne strips. Blanch in salted boiling water until barely tender. Drain and set aside.
Cut 8 slices of ginger on the diagonal, then cut into julienne strips. Snap off the stems from the snow peas and remove the string.
Chop the scallions including some of the green top. Cut the pork into thin slices and then into 1/4 inch strips. Stir-fry.
Heat the oil in a frying pan over high heat. Add the pork and stir while cooking. After 1 minute, add the blanched carrots, the snow peas, and the ginger. Stir and cook for 5 minutes. Add the scallions and the garlic and then the wine and the soy sauce.
Simmer for 5 minutes.

Main
Stuffed Chinese chicken wings  Print Recipe


Serves: Serves 4
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
2 pounds chicken wings
1 pound shrimp
1 large bamboo shoot
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 teaspoon sherry wine
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons water
1 teaspoon salt
oil for frying
Cut wings at segment joints. Discard the tips. Cut the tendons connected to the bone and push back the meat away from bone. Remove bone.
Shell and devein shrimp and chop into fine paste(food processor). Mince the bamboo shoot and garlic.
Combine shrimp, bamboo shoot, garlic, ginger, wine, soy sauce, and corn starch and fill cavity of the chicken wings.
Mix batter with remaining ingredients. Coat the stuffed wings with batter and deep fry at 375 degrees until golden brown. Serve with sweet and sour sauce.

Main
Sweet and sour pork  Print Recipe


Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
1/3 cup honey
6 tablespoons rice vinegar
4 teaspoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
1 1/2 pound pork tenderloin cut into 1-inch cubes
1 teaspoon salt divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper divided
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cornstarch
2 large eggs
2 cups plus 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for frying
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup chopped white onions 3/4-inch sized pieces
1 cup chopped red bell pepper 3/4-inch sized pieces
1 cup chopped green bell pepper 1/2-inch sized pieces
1 cup pineapple chunks 3/4-inch sized pieces
2 tablespoons sliced green onion
1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
In a medium-sized bowl combine sweet and sour sauce ingredients, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and tomato paste. Set aside.
In a small bowl combine the cornstarch and water.
Season pork with 1/2 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
In a shallow dish mix together flour and 1/3 cup cornstarch.
In a separate shallow dish add eggs and whisk.
Batter each piece of pork by coating it with the flour mixture, then dip in the whisked egg, and coat in the flour mixture.
In a wok or medium sized pan, heat 2 cups of oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil reaches 350°F (180°C), work in 2 to 3 batches, adding the battered pork and frying until golden brown and pork is cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Transfer pork to a sheet pan and drain on paper towels. Fry the next batch.
Discard the oil from wok and carefully wipe the inside of the pan with paper towels to clean.
Heat wok over medium-high heat and add in 1 tablespoon oil.
Once the oil is hot add the garlic and onions, stir-fry for 30 seconds.
Add in the red and green bell peppers, and stir-fry for 1 minute.
Add in the pineapple and stir-fry for 1 minute.
Add in the pork and the sweet and sour sauce, stir to combine and allow the sauce to come to a boil.
Stir the cornstarch slurry and then add it to the pan, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, 60 seconds. Mix the ingredients with the sauce to coat the pork.
Garnish the sweet and sour pork with green onions and sesame seeds and serve over rice.
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Measures of non liquid ingredients



Non-liquid ingredients in volume converted
into weight using the table below.
For products not included, use a metric scale
Weight of specific 'ingredients in grams

Ingredient

1 cup

3/4 cup

2/3 cup

1/2 cup

1/3 cup

1/4 cup

2 tablespoons

All-purpose wheat flour 120 g 90 g 80 g 60 g 40 g 30 g 15 g
All-purpose sifted wheat flour 110 g 80 g 70 g 55 g 35 g 27 g 13 g
White sugar 200 g 150 g 130 g 100 g 65 g 50 g 25 g
Powdered sugar/Icing sugar 100 g 75 g 70 g 50 g 35 g 25 g 13 g
Brown sugar normally packed 180 g 135 g 120 g 90 g 60 g 45 g 23 g
Corn flour 160 g 120 g 100 g 80 g 50 g 40 g 20 g
Cornstarch 120 g 90 g 80 g 60 g 40 g 30 g 15 g
Rice (not-cooked) 190 g 140 g 125 g 95 g 65 g 48 g 24 g
Macaroni (uncooked) 140 g 100 g 90 g 70 g 45 g 35 g 17 g
Couscous (uncooked) 180 g 135 g 120 g 90 g 60 g 45 g 22 g
Quick oatmeal (uncooked) 90 g 65 g 60 g 45 g 30 g 22 g 11 g
Table salt 300 g 230 g 200 g 150 g 100 g 75 g 40 g
Butter / Margarine 240 g 180 g 160 g 120 g 80 g 60 g 30 g
Shortening 190 g 140 g 125 g 95 g 65 g 48 g 24 g
Fruits and légumes chopped 150 g 110 g 100 g 75 g 50 g 40 g 20 g
chopped walnuts 150 g 110 g 100 g 75 g 50 g 40 g 20 g
Nuts /ground almonds 120 g 90 g 80 g 60 g 40 g 30 g 15 g
Fresh bread crumbs (not packed) 60 g 45 g 40 g 30 g 20 g 15 g 8 g
Dry bread crumbs 150 g 110 g 100 g 75 g 50 g 40 g 20 g
Parmesan grated 90 g 65 g 60 g 45 g 30 g 22 g 11 g
Chocolate chips 150 g 110 g 100 g 75 g 50 g 38 g  19 g
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As the sun rises or sets in China

"May every sunrise hold more promise, and every sunset hold more peace."

The {Page Turner} E-Cookbooks Library on a world cooking journey
19 Recipes

2 Appetizers

17 Main dishes