Chinese Cooking - Where Do I Start

By: Yi Sim
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:18:03
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

When a new cook wants to attempt Chinese cooking, more often then not, he or she may be stunted with the wide variety of ingredients required. For starters, here are the basic ingredients for a Chinese pantry startup.

1. Vegetable Oil

Vegetable oil (such as corn oil, soybean oil or peanut oil) is the most basic ingredient in Chinese cooking and often used because of it’s higher smoking point (441° to 450°F) as compared to olive oil (about 375°F).

The higher the smoke point, the better suited the oil is for frying, reason being, if the oil is heated to the point that its smoke point is exceeded, it starts to emit smoke and acrid odors and this may transfer an unpleasant flavor to the food.

For stir-frying, olive oil can still be used, but definitely not virgin olive oil or extra virgin olive oil. However, for deep-frying, you should only use vegetable oil.

2. Light Soy Sauce

There are two basic types of soy sauce used in Chinese cooking. As the name suggests, soy sauce is made from soy beans.

Light soy sauce is a thin, dark brown sauce. It is used mainly for seasoning and is saltier than dark soy sauce.

3. Dark Soy Sauce

Dark soy sauce is darker and slightly thicker because it has been aged longer. It has a richer taste, is slightly sweeter and less salty than light soy sauce.

Dark soy sauce can be used to flavor a dish and also to add color. However, be careful not to add too much dark soy sauce at once as its dark color can ruin the appearance of the dish.

4. Oyster Sauce

A dark brown rich sauce, oyster sauce is made from boiling oysters and seasonings and is used to enhance the flavor of many savory foods such as meat and vegetable dishes. An ingredient often used as a topping for steamed vegetables such as kailan and in stir fries, a small bottle of oyster sauce can be expensive, but because only a little is required each time, a bottle can actually last quite long.

5. White Pepper

White pepper is black peppercorn with the skin removed. Some say that white pepper tastes milder than black pepper.

White pepper is mainly used for aesthetic reasons, example when you do not want to see black flecks on your chicken, fish dish, rice congee or if you are making a light sauce.

6. Salt

Used as a flavor enhancer and in all types of cooking, Chinese cooking included.

7. Cornstarch (also known as corn flour)

Cornstarch does not add much flavor to a dish. Instead, they are used to seal in juices, coat meat with a shiny glaze, and thicken sauces and soups.

You will typically use equal amounts of cold water to mix with cornstarch to form a paste. Cold water (as opposed to hot water) is used so as to avoid lumps. When the paste forms, whisk it into the liquid you are trying to thicken. Cook briefly only, to remove the starchy flavor, else if overcooked, liquids thickened with some starches will thin again if cooked too long or at too high a temperature.

8. Garlic

Used as a flavor enhancer usually in Chinese stir-fry.

9. Ginger Root (or fresh ginger)

Mature ginger has a light golden brown thin skin. Fibrous and nearly dry, mature ginger roots are commonly used as a spice in Chinese cooking, to neutralize strong fishy flavors and to add its own aroma to dishes such as seafood and mutton.

Young ginger roots have a pinkish soft skin with a very mild taste. Juicy and fleshy, young ginger roots are most commonly pickled in a vinegar mixture and served with century eggs (preserved eggs).

Start with these nine basic ingredients and as you experiment with more and more Chinese cooking recipes, you gradually add more ingredients to your Chinese pantry list.

Yi Sim is a foodie who likes to experiment with new Asian recipes.

She maintains a food blog at www.simcooks.com

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Cooking category

  • Looking for a Great Meal Idea? Try Ordering Fresh Seafood Online! - By: Shannon Linnen
    Ordering fresh seafood online can be a great way to get the fresh seafood that you want without having to go to the store. Instead of being caught two weeks ago, you can get the freshest fish possible, caught yesterday and shipped right to your door. It sounds silly to think that your 'fresh' fish has probably spent at least a week in a warehouse or refrigerated truck, but it's true.
  • Baking Information for Beginner Chefs - By: Japinder Singh
    Baking can be an intimidating process when one is first learning. Images of smoke pouring out of the oven and rock hard rolls can haunt thoughts of preparing a Thanksgiving dinner. But have no fear; there are a few simple ways to avoid the confusion and stress that comes with baking. The first key is to gain a basic understanding of what you are looking to make such as ingredients, and the baking process.
  • Fresh Live Lobsters Whenever you Want Them - By: Rex Magnum
    There are so many delicious recipes that you can make with fresh live lobsters that you'll be sure to impress your family, neighbors and friends. Why not try a nice light lobster bisque on a chilly fall night? A lobster bake is the perfect meal for a large amount of guests. And when you're having an intimate get together, pair your lobster with our set of bibs and claw crackers, and let everyone crack right into their own lobster!
  • Smoked Salmon Gift Sets Make Great Presents - By: Rex Magnum
    smoked salmon gift sets are a great way to set your gift apart this holiday season, while treating your family to an indulgent gift. It's not only a healthy option for family, but for your wallet as well. At Smoked Salmon Delivered, we've created gift sets that have something for everyone, and are sure to impress everyone you sent them out to this year.
  • Fresh Live Lobster Makes A Great Gift - By: Rex Magnum
    Fresh lobster is the best. There are so many different dishes that taste great with lobster. And cracking open a freshly steamed lobster is one of life's great pleasures. Unless you live close to a coast however, it's unlikely it's a pleasure you get to indulge in often. Sure, most grocery store offer 'live' lobster, but they're usually old and sickly by the time they reach your store, and they're over prices.
  • Smoked Salmon Gift Sets are a Unique Gift - By: Rex Magnum
    Smoked salmon is something that everyone loves to eat, but that we all feel a little guilty about indulging in because of the price. But what you didn't know was that by ordering online, you can save a bundle. This means that your family are going to get the snacks that they love, you'll get to save some serious cash, and they'll never know. It's a great way to be the hit of the family Christmas party without breaking the bank!
  • Undertake 9 Guidelines You are Always Looking for Cooking - By: IK SERVE
    If you are as busy as most people you are always looking for ways to feed your family in convenient, fast, yet not-too-expensive ways. Try the following suggestions: 1. Cooking several meals for the week at one time. It may take a few hours of your time up front but will pay off in the long run when you come home each evening and have a meal ready to
  • Fresh Smoked Salmon is Fantastic! - By: Rex Magnum
    Smoked salmon is indeed a pleasure. Of course you can pick it up at the grocery store, but that old packaged fish can't really compare to the delights of fresh smoked salmon. Sometimes, it's actually even another fish! A holiday party with family and friends can be well complimented by a buffet that centers around delicious smoked salmon. And it's easy for you to order everything you'll need online, without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home.
  • Ring in the New Year with a Smoked Salmon Gift Basket - By: Rex Magnum
    When you want to impress the inlaws without busting your budget, a smoked salmon gift basket is a surefire way to go with your gift giving. Smoked salmon is seen as a luxury, and imagine everyone's surprise when it's delivered right to their home, right in time for a perfect holiday brunch.
  • Dining in Benidorm - By: Larry Austin
    As Benidorm draws in millions of visitors from all corners of the globe, it is understandable that the restaurants in the locality reflect this by offering a comprehensive choice of cuisine. From fast-food and seafood, to fine dining and delicious local delicacies, travellers will find that they are often stuck for choice.