Many people who want to learn Chinese cooking begin by digging into recipes. That can be great fun, but it can also become overwhelming. The variety of ingredients is incredible.
But, when you look at enough recipes, you'll soon see a pattern. Some ingredients repeat themselves over and over again, perhaps indicating that these particular items are essential to creating tasty Chinese dishes.
Let's take a look at seven of the ingredients you will want in your kitchen at all times when trying out your recipes for Chinese cuisine.
Soy Sauce
This is a very basic and very well known ingredient in Chinese cooking. Made with fermented soybeans and flour, soy sauce is actually available in several varieties.
The simplest distinction is between 'light' and 'dark' soy sauce. Light soy sauce will be thinner and saltier, and is often used as salt to flavor food. Dark soy sauce has a smoother, more mellow flavor with a less salty taste.
Sesame Oil
Made from sesame seeds, this item has a distinctive flavor that many new to Chinese cooking may not be familiar with. However, you will see it used in many recipes once you start looking, so this is an ingredient you need to know about.
Be very careful when you choose recipes using sesame oil because some may call for adding sesame oil to the wok to fry food. This is not recommended as sesame oil burns very easily, and for that reason should only be used at the end of the food preparation just to add flavor. Also, be aware that sesame oil has a very intense flavor so a little goes a long, long way.
Peanut Oil
This is your go-to oil for stir-frying because it can be heated to a very high temperature, which is what is needed when cooking in a wok. If you see olive oil or sesame oil in a recipe for stir-frying, substitute peanut oil to prevent scorched food or soggy food due to frying at low temperatures to avoid burning the oil.
The flavor of peanut oil is subtle and slightly nutty, as you might guess. It is pale so won't color food. Peanut oil can also be used to dress vegetables and salads. You will want to keep a good supply of this versatile oil.
Five Spice Seasoning
If you are new to Chinese cooking, you probably have not heard of this basic ingredient. It is actually a mix of seasonings that work together to provide the perfect combination of flavors to please the palate. This flavor is most often referred to as "umami" which is basically indescribable, but you know it when you taste it.
The five ingredients in this seasoning must provide the five flavor sensations we desire - sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and pungent. The most common blend includes cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, and Szechuan pepper. Make your own blend to suit your taste, or you can find mixes available in most grocery stores. Either way, this is an essential ingredient in Chinese cuisine.
Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce
Many Chinese dishes require a fair share of spicy heat, and adding hot chili sauce is a great way to add both the spicy flavor and the heat. Sriracha is one brand that is readily available in stores and that most people recognize. Of course, you'll want to try a variety until you get the flavor combination you want.
Chili sauce is simply a blend of hot chilies mixed with other ingredients such as garlic, salt, and vinegar. You will find many recipes for cooking with chili sauce, but you will also want to have enough on hand to serve as a dipping sauce.
Rice
Of course, rice is a staple in every pantry, but there are two types you will want to keep handy for your Chinese dishes. Although any rice is perfectly fine, there are traditional varieties that complete the meal with a bit more authenticity.
Jasmine rice is a long grain rice that is light and fluffy when cooked. It has a delightful aroma that is slightly nutty and can be served with just about any dish you make. Sticky rice, called that because it is sticky when cooked, is a short grain rice used whenever a dish needs to be held together, such as rice dumplings, as well as desserts. However, you can serve sticky rice with stir-fry, too. It is basically a matter of preference. Both types of rice are important when creating Chinese meals.
Noodles
If you are trying to serve authentic Chinese cuisine, you can't skip the noodles. In your search for recipes, you will probably find just as many noodle-based dishes as you will rice-based dishes. The trick is getting to know which noodles to buy.
The simplest way to stock your pantry with the right noodles for Chinese cooking is to have a package of wheat noodles, rice noodles, egg noodles, and cellophane noodles on hand. Then you know you'll be ready to slurp your way through a big bowl of your favorite recipe.
Of course, this is just the beginning, but it's a good beginning. As you explore Chinese cooking further, you will want to look into other ingredients to help create the authentic flavors you are anxious to achieve. For right now, it's time to pick a recipe and get started enjoying your journey into Chinese cuisine!
No comments:
Post a Comment