February 1 marks the beginning of Lunar New Year, and as we celebrate the new year of the Tiger, we can’t help but hope for a little extra luck in the coming year. Though the traditions of Lunar New Year are as diverse as the communities who celebrate—like China, Korea, […]
Makes 8 servings Sweet and spicy crisp vegetables wrapped in paper thin pancakes make a healthy and easy alternative to ordering in. Moo shu pancakes are available in Asian groceries and well-stocked supermarkets, but if you cannot find the pancakes, flour tortillas can be used as a substitute. Don’t be […]
There was a time that high-quality and authentic ingredients from abroad were out of reach to Americans, at least without lofty import fees or expensive travel. Luckily for us, the world feels much smaller than it once did, and ingredients like specialty spices, tropical fruits, and chiles are at our […]
Ingredients 1/2 cup light soy sauce 1/2 cup dark soy sauce (see note) 1/4 cup Korean soy bean paste (doenjang) One 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced 1 scallion, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 whole star anise 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 cup brown sugar, divided use 2 […]
Makes 8 servings Bean starch sheets, also known as Tianjin green bean sheets, are translucent sheets made from mung bean starch that visually resemble Vietnamese rice paper. The slippery texture of the bean starch sheets is comparable to cellophane noodles, another product made from mung bean starch. Ingredients 1 lb […]
Makes 40 dumplings Dough Shrimp Filling
Makes 4 portions If you can’t find oyster mushrooms, you can use any mix of mushrooms that are available. For the cornstarch slurry, combine about 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water. You may not use it all; add it slowly to avoid a gummy sauce. Ingredients 3/4 tsp Sichuan […]
Makes 4 to 6 servings This dish may not be authentically Chinese, but it is a kid-friendly introduction to a common Chinese cooking method: stir-frying. Once you get the hang of the technique, you can experiment with new ingredients, like chiles, Szechuan peppercorns, and and bok choy. Ingredients 3 tablespoons […]
It’s a fact that Americans love eating Chinese food. There are over 40,000 Chinese restaurants in the U.S.; there are more Chinese restaurants than McDonald’s. You can probably name a favorite Chinese restaurant and a dish or two you love. It is also a fact that many cooks feel intimidated […]
We love all veggies (yes, even beets!), but there are some that really suit our fancy. Gai lan is one! Sometimes called Chinese broccoli, gai lan is, well, not particularly extraordinary. It’s relatively neutral in flavor, a lot like regular old broccoli, with a familiar texture (yup, like broccoli!). It […]
Steamed pork buns are huge favorites on menus across the country, and it’s no wonder. With their pillow-y softness, rich fillings, and salty-sweet-sometimes spicy sauces, they represent everything we find craveable. Chinese-style steamed buns, known commonly as bao, are our most familiar representation of the dish, though you can find […]
Do you like spicy food? If the answer is yes – join the club! If the answer is no – well, join the other club, because there are lots of people just like you! Have you ever wondered why certain foods are so spicy? Spicy foods burn our mouths thanks […]