Chinese cuisine is gradually gaining popularity. Thanks to its unusual taste, interesting recipes, and health benefits, it is conquering more and more stomachs. This article will tell you about the most famous dishes that came from China.
On the territory of the Celestial Empire, there are a lot of ethnic groups which have their own national dishes:
– Shanghai cuisine
– Xinjiang cuisine
– Dongbei cuisine
– Guangdong cuisine
– Sichuan cuisine
Each of these unique has its own recipes and culinary traditions. For example, the Chinese fortune cookie and egg custard tart are tightly connected to Chinese cuisine and have their own peculiarities.
There are also dishes that have taken root in the concept of traditional Chinese cuisine and can characterize it in its entirety:
Fish and seafood in Chinese cuisine
Fish products are loved in China, they have always been available to the people of the country, and the fishing industry in the country has developed especially rapidly in recent years.
With the rapid development of floating farms, new kinds of fish and shellfish have become even more affordable and interesting in appearance and taste. The immensely popular dish is the Crystal shrimp, which Chinese farmers have been breeding for almost 20 years. The large crustaceans, transformed in the process of breeding, have become a real-world delicacy. They are not only tasty but also beautiful: depending on the species, during its maturation, bright stripes appear on the shrimps: red or brown. Cooked with them, the dish on the plate looks festive.
Crystal shrimp (Shui jing Xia ren, 水晶虾仁) is quick and easy to prepare. Shrimps are usually fried in plenty of oil for three minutes and pre-dipped in a batter made from starch and whites. The Crystal shrimp is served with leeks.
Vegetable dishes in China
Among the variety of vegetables growing in the Celestial Empire, legume crops are especially popular with Eastern cooks. The Red bean dish (hong dou sha，红豆沙) has been popular in China for over 3,000 years. Red is considered a symbol of happiness and prosperity in the country, so the paste made from bright beans is often prepared in different ways. In addition, this product is known to contain a lot of minerals, iron, and vitamins.
Red beans (adzuki) are mashed to a paste with vegetable oil. If desired, sugar and spices are added. Chinese eat red bean paste with many dishes: dumplings, rice, and sesame meatballs. In addition, sweet bean paste is used as an addition to desserts.
A variety of baked or fried flour dishes with vegetables added are popular in China. One more of these is a pumpkin cake(nan gua bing, 南瓜饼).
Meat dishes in China
For centuries, people in Beijing and the provinces have considered pork to be a treasure trove of vitality: protein, fats, and vitamins. Chinese dishes made from this meat are juicy, tender, and sometimes very spicy. Oriental chefs like to prepare Jiao yan paitiao, 椒盐排条: literally, “Spicy salted meat strips.” The secret to cooking pork ribs is using several types of peppers: black, green, and chili, along with a decent amount of salt. Pork ribs rubbed with this mixture are fried in an egg batter, which can soften the spiciness a bit.
This famous hot dish in the Middle Kingdom is popular both for the everyday menu and for a holiday table. It is usually served alone, sometimes with a vegetable side dish.
