Delicious Chinese Cuisine Chinese Soups, Starters, Main Courses , Vegetables, Rice and Noodles Copyright 2013 by June Kessler
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Introduction
In this book you will find colorful and healthy dishes that require simple ingredients. Creating meals that combine a variety of color, texture, flavors, and using wholesome ingredients will give you joy in the tasting. The dishes included in this book range from hot and spicy to delicate flavors using fish and vegetables. One of the most important features of Chinese cooking is texture.
Vegetables should remain crisp and rice and noodles should be treated like pasta and retain their bite after cooking. Ingredients such as bean curd ar e used for texture, even if they have little flavor in themselves. Bamboo Shoots and Chestnuts, both common ingredients in these recipes, are used only for texture. Most of the recipes in this book use simple ingredients available in most supermarkets. But more traditional options have been suggested where appropriate. It is worth making a trip to a Chinese grocery store for high-quality soy sauce and some of the other more obscure ingredients, but the recipes will all work very well and be equally delicious without them.
The recipes in this book are great for entertaining; we love to make a buffet of Chinese dishes for family and friends. I really hope you enjoy this broad collection of Soups and Starters, Main Courses, Vegetables, and Rice & Noodles.
Soups and S tarters
In China soups are not usually served at the beginning of a meal but between courses to clear the palate. It is also quite common for Chinese families to serve a large tureen of clear soup at the same time as the other dishes. The soups in this chapter bring a whole range of flavors and textures to the table. There are thicker soups, thin clear consomms, and those topped with wontons for effect and flavor.
These soups can be eaten as a lunch or snack or on their own-whatever your preference, they are all delicious. ENJOY!
Clear Chicken and Egg Soup
1 teaspoon salt 1 Tablespoon rice wine vinegar 4 eggs 3 cups chicken stock 1 leek, sliced 4 ounces broccoli florets 1 cup shredded cooked chicken 2 open-cap mushrooms, sliced 1 Tablespoon dry sherry Dash of chili sauce Chili powder to garnish Directions Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil and add salt and rice wine vinegar. Reduce heat so that it is just simmering and carefully break the eggs into the water, one at a time. Poach eggs for 1 minute. Remove the poached eggs with a slotted spoon and set aside. Bring the chicken stock to a boil in a separate saucepan and add the leek, broccoli, chicken, mushrooms, and sherry; season with chili sauce to taste.
Cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Add the poached eggs to the soup and cook for 2 minutes. Carefully transfer the soup and poached eggs to 4 individual soup bowls. Sprinkle with a little chili powder to garnish and serve immediately.
Curried Chicken and Corn Soup
Tender chicken strips and baby corncobs are the main flavors in this delicious clear soup, with just a hint of ginger. 1 (6-oz) can corn, drained 3 cups chicken stock 12 ounces cooked chicken, cut into strips 16 baby corncobs 1 teaspoon Chinese curry powder -inch piece fresh ginger root, grated 3 Tablespoons light soy sauce 2 Tablespoons chopped chives Directions Place canned corn in a food processor; add 2/3 cup chicken stock and process until the mixture forms a smooth puree.
Rub the corn paste through a fine strainer, pressing with the back of a spoon to remove any husks. Pour remaining chicken stock into a large saucepan and add the strips of cooked chicken. Stir in the corn puree. Add the baby corncobs, and bring the soup to a boil. Boil the soup for 10 minutes. Add the curry powder, grated ginger, and soy sauce; cook for 10 to 15 minutes more.
Stir in the chopped chives. Transfer the soup to warm individual soup bowls .
Hot and Sour Soup
This well-known soup from Beijing is easy to make and very filling. It is often eaten as a meal on its own and should be served before a light meal if being served as an appetizer. 2 Tablespoons cornstarch 4 Tablespoons water 4 Tablespoons light soy sauce 3 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar teaspoon ground black pepper 1 small fresh red chili, finely chopped 1 egg 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil 1 onion, chopped 3 cups chicken or beef consomm 1 open-cap mushroom, sliced 2 ounces skinless chicken breast, cut into very thin strips 1 teaspoon sesame oil Directions Blend cornstarch and water to form a smooth paste. Add the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, pepper and chili; mix well.
Break the egg into a separate bowl and beat well, set aside. Heat oil in a preheated wok and stir-fry the onion for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the consomm, mushrooms and chicken; bring to a boil. Cook about 15 minutes; or until the chicken is tender. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the soup and cook the soup, stirring constantly, until thickened. As you are stirring, gradually, drizzle the egg into the soup; to create threads of egg.
Sprinkle with sesame oil and serve immediately. Makes 4 servings Tip: Make sure that the egg is poured in very slowly and that you stir continuously to create threads of egg and not large , cooked pieces.
Peking Duck Soup
This is a hearty, robustly flavored soup containing pieces of duck and vegetables cooked in a rich stock. 4 ounces lean duck breast 8 ounces Chinese cabbage 3 cups chicken or duck stock 1 Tablespoon dry sherry or rice wine 1 Tablespoon light soy sauce 2 garlic cloves, crushed Pinch of ground star anise 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley Directions Remove skin from the duck breast and finely dice the meat. Using a sharp knife, shred the Chinese cabbage Combine the chicken or duck stock, sherry or rice wine, soy sauce, diced duck meat, and shredded cabbage and stir to mix thoroughly. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
Stir in the garlic and star anise and cook over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes or until duck is tender. Meanwhile, dry-fry the sesame seeds in a preheated heavy-based skillet or wok, stirring constantly. Remove the sesame seeds from pan and stir them into the soup, together with the sesame oil and parsley. Spoon the soup into warm bowls and serve immediately. Makes 4 servings Tip: If Chinese cabbage is not available, use leafy green cabbage instead.
Beef & Vegetable Noodle Soup
Thin strips of beef marinated in soy sauce and garlic form the basis of this delicious soup.
Beef & Vegetable Noodle Soup
Thin strips of beef marinated in soy sauce and garlic form the basis of this delicious soup.
Serve d with noodles, this dish is both filling and delicious. 8 ounces lean beef 1 garlic clove, crushed 2 scallions, chopped 3 Tablespoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon sesame oil 8 ounces egg noodles 3 cups beef stock 3 baby corncobs, sliced leek, shredded 4 ounces broccoli, cut into florets Pinch chili powder Directions Using a sharp knife, cut the beef into very thin strips and place them in a shallow glass bowl or dish. Add the garlic, scallions, soy sauce, and sesame oil; mix well, turning beef to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Cook the noodles in a saucepan of boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes. Drain noodles and set aside.
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