If you love Chinese cuisine, you must have wondered how to whip up your favorite dishes at home. It's an art that needs practice, but once you master it, you'll be rewarded with delicious, authentic meals that are easy to make. Here, we will guide you on how to make hot and sour soup, kung pao chicken, mapo tofu, fried rice, and Chinese dumplings from scratch.
Hot and Sour Soup - This delicious soup has a perfect blend of sour and spicy flavors that are soothing, and delicious flavors. You'll need dried shiitake mushrooms, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, tofu, eggs, chicken broth, cornstarch, red pepper flakes, rice vinegar, and soy sauce to make it.
Start by soaking the shiitake mushrooms in hot water for ten minutes and cutting them into thin slices. Next, cut the bamboo shoots and tofu into strips, beat two eggs, and set aside. In another bowl, mix two tablespoons of cornstarch and chicken broth. Add the rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, and soy sauce and stir.
Bring the broth mixture to a boil in a pot, then lower the heat. Add the sliced mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and tofu strips. Once the soup boils again, pour the egg slowly in a thin stream while stirring. Allow it to simmer for a minute before adding the bean sprouts. Remove the soup from the heat and serve hot.
Kung Pao Chicken - This popular dish is made with tender chicken pieces, peanuts, and vegetables, all stir-fried in a spicy sauce. To make it, you'll need boneless chicken breasts, peanuts, celery stalks, green onions, garlic cloves, dried red chilies, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, cornstarch, and sesame oil.
Start by marinating the chicken in soy sauce and cornstarch for at least half an hour. Next, heat oil in a wok or cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the garlic, dried chili peppers, and Sichuan peppercorns, if using, and fry for a few seconds. Add the chicken pieces and fry until they’re cooked through.
Add the chopped celery and green onions to the pan and cook until they're just tender, then add the peanuts and stir. Mix the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, cornstarch, and sesame oil in a small bowl. Pour the mixture over the chicken and vegetables and toss. Cook until the sauce thickens. Serve with steamed rice.
Mapo Tofu - This flavorful Sichuan dish has a spicy, numbing taste with a soft and tender texture. To make this delicacy, you'll need ground pork, firm tofu, garlic cloves, ginger, Sichuan peppercorns, chili bean paste, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch.
First, cook the ground pork in a hot pan until it's browned. Add the garlic, ginger, and Sichuan peppercorns and fry for a few seconds. Add the chili bean paste and stir-fry until the oil is red and fragrant. Add the tofu cubes and gently stir, careful not to break them apart.
Mix the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Pour the mixture over the tofu and stir gently. Let it cook until the sauce thickens and the tofu is heated through. Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions and Sichuan peppercorns.
Fried Rice – This dish is easy to make and a great way to use leftovers. You'll need cooked leftover rice, eggs, garlic cloves, soy sauce, oyster sauce, vegetable oil, peas, carrots, and green onions to make it.
Heat the vegetable oil over medium heat in a wok or skillet and add the minced garlic. Fry for a few seconds until fragrant, then add the beaten eggs and scramble. Once the eggs are cooked, add the vegetables and stir.
Add the leftover rice to the pan and mix with the vegetables. Then, add the soy sauce and oyster sauce and stir thoroughly. Cook for a few more minutes until the rice is heated through. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.
Chinese Dumplings - Dumplings are one of the famous Chinese dishes enjoyed worldwide. You'll need flour, water, and salt to make the dough. To make the filling, you can use any preferred ingredients, such as beef, pork, chicken, or vegetable fillings.
Mix the flour, water, and salt in a bowl to make the dough, and knead it until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.
Mix the minced meat or vegetables with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions for the filling.
To make the dumplings, take a small piece of dough and roll it out thinly into a circle. Place a tablespoon filling at the center and fold the dough into a half-moon shape. Then, seal the edges by crimping them. Steam, fry, or boil the dumplings before serving with dipping sauce.
In conclusion, learning to make Chinese dishes is an excellent way to explore different flavors and cuisines. These recipes might seem daunting initially, but they are simple and easy to follow. Besides, you can modify them to suit your taste preferences. Why not impress your friends and family with your new cooking skills?
