Cantonese Roast Duck from the Land of China

“Americans fell in love with Chinese food not because of its gastronomic excellence, but because of its affordability and convenience. They preferred the quick and simple dishes of China while shunning its haute cuisine.” I was reading this book Chop Suey, USA: The Story of Chinese Food in America and these lines sum up the Chinese food history and its success. Not only here in America, but Chinese Food has been sprinkling its flavors over many countries with its variety and scope for something more. Their food is like a painting, which, though complete and beautiful, gives space to add something more. This is what people around the world have been doing for many years. Every country gives its own touch to the already delicious Chinese food. There are a few factors which give Chinese Food its uniqueness. The Chinese philosophy of utilizing each and every part of the plant or the animal for cooking gives a diverse and new list of recipes. 

Divided into many geographical areas, people in China use wheat for noodles and southern China has more seafood in its menu. No wonder, dishes like Cantonese Roast Duck which shining reddish brown treat, is a an authentic recipe portraying the real county’s taste. This dish is one of the most popular Chinese dishes. Sesame chicken is another sweet, deep fried chicken dish dressed with vinegar and cornstarch. Ironically native Chinese will not prefer this dish for it’s sweetness I guess. If you are into mellow spices then Sweet and Sour Pork is your Chinese thing. Pan fried chicken with sauce a mix of fruits and spices gives it a sweet and sour taste. Even the health conscious stars in Hollywood devour this. Orange Chicken is again an American Chinese dish which found its way to other countries via tongue. Coated with orange flavored sauce is an ecstasy. Today let’s start with the shining reddish brown Cantonese Roast Duck.

Ingredients:-

2 teaspoons Salt,

4 tablespoons Honey,

2 kg Oven-ready Duck,

1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar,

1/2 teaspoon Red Food Color (Optional).

For the Stuffing:-

1 tablespoon Oil,

1 tablespoon Caster Sugar,

1 tablespoon Hoisin Sauce,

2 teaspoons Five-spice Powder,

1 tablespoon Yellow Bean Sauce,

2 tablespoons Chinese Rice Wine,

1 teaspoon chopped Ginger Root,

1 tablespoon chopped Spring Onion.

Preparation Method:-

1. Clean the duck. Remove wings and fat inside the vent. Blanch it in boiling water pot for 10 minutes. Dry and rub duck with salt. Tie the neck with string.

2. Now make the stuffing. Heat oil in a pan. Add all the ingredients. Bring to boil. Pour this mixture into cavity of the duck. Sew it properly.

3. take a small bowl and mix in warm water, honey, vinegar and red food coloring. Brush it all over the duck, giving several coatings. Hang the duck up with the head down using an S-shaped hook. Keep as such for 5 hours.

4. For cooking, heat the oven to 400 D.F. Hang the duck head down, on top rack. Keep a tray of boiling water at the bottom of oven. Reduce the heat to 350 D.F after 30 minutes. Take the duck out of oven. Cool for 5 minutes.

5. Serve hot with additional honey coating!

Enjoy the treat!

Dragon’s Zongzi - Food for Health

Name a festival celebrated by many but with different stories of its evolution? There are a lot of them and this goes on to prove that though we have different stories, we reach the same end or a beginning, may be. However, in China you call it “Duanwu Festival” AKA The Dragon Boat Festival. Chinese have this ancient thing with Dragons - I guess we all do. According to Chinese mythology, Dragons are evolution ancestor of humans and control Water, Rainfall, Hurricanes and Floods. They are the symbol of power, strength and good luck. If we look closely, we realise that every important thing which can affect our lives is either controlled or represented by Dragons- they do matter a lot. Stories behind Dragon Boat Race fest are quite amusing. One story says, “Qu Yuan”, a poet and minister committed suicide by drowning in river due to a disagreement with the King. 

 

His followers searched for him with their boats - hence the Dragon Boat race- and threw rice dumplings - the food of this blog- so that fishes won’t eat Yuan and go for rice instead. Other one says a girl named “Cao E” jumped in river to save her drowning father but both of them drowned instead. So this day is to remember her sacrifice. I see Duanwu as a festival to celebrate and respect sacrifice. On this day people go for the Dragon Boat race(obviously!), wear perfumed medicine bags, MAKE AN EGG STAND at Noon and eat ZONGZI with realgar wine. Even you should try to make an egg stand at noon and get good luck for the next year! All in all people pray for a healthy and happy life. Chinese food is my all time favorite. Since this festival is in June, let’s try Zongzi for a healthier, safer and a ‘Food Full’ year.

Ingredients:-

4 Strings,

4 Mushrooms,

100 gms Abalone,

4 salted Egg Yolks,

4 Japanese Conpoy,

600 gms Green Beans,

600 gms Glutinous Rice,

4 Tablespoons Soy Sauce,

280 gms chopped Pork Belly,

1/2 Tablespoon Five-spice Powder,

4 dried round large size Lotus Leaves.

Preparation Method:-

1. Soak rice and green beans for 5 hours. Then drain. Now soak mushrooms and Japanese conpoy for 2 hours. Drain well.

2. Marinate the pork belly with five-spice powder plus soy sauce for 2 hours. Lay down the lotus leaf on table with stem side facing down. Place rice in the centre of the leaf.

3. Add the marinated pork, Japanese conpoy, mushroom, abalone, salted egg yolk and green beans on top of rice. Add glutinous rice until the filling is covered.

4. Carefully wrap four sides of lotus leaf over the filling in a cone shape. Tie tightly with help of a string. Place zongzi in boiling water. Cover and cook for 3 hours. Serve hot!

Enjoy the fest!

Cheung Chau Bun Festival and the Vegan Recipe

Highlighting wild lion dances, vibrant parades, funny bun scrambling contest and showcasing bun towers, here comes the most lively and colorful Hong Kong Festival, the Cheung Chau Bun Festival. This festival portrays tradition and folklore of China. The centre of attraction includes giant bamboo mountains which are covered with homemade buns. These are set up at Pak Tai Temple, where the main celebration takes place. Like every other fest, this too has a story related to it. There was an island which was hit by epidemic ruining many lives. Finally the local people got in God Pak Tai. He eradicated plague and killed evil spirits. Hence Pak Tai Temple is considered as the most religious centre of the island. 

 

The festival's parade includes colorful lions, marching bands, martial arts activities, flowery floats, loud drums and cymbals. The most unique and thrilling activities includes adults carrying children on their shoulders, dressed up like mythological Chinese deities. Their dressing-up like this symbolizes driving away the evil spirits. Next is the peculiar Bun Grabbing Contest. A tower of 60 foot is made, all covered by buns. You have to grab maximum buns in 3 minutes, isn't it interesting? There are more fun activities to add on to this. During 3 days of the fest, entire island goes for a vegetarian diet. I am very fond of Chinese food. So let’s add some vegetarian yummzz from the land of China.

Vegan Mapo Tofu

Ingredients:-

3 sliced Scallions,

1 cup warm Water,

1 block diced soft Tofu,

2 minced Garlic Cloves,

1 teaspoon minced Ginger,

2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil,

15 dried Shiitake Mushrooms,

1 1/2 tablespoon Black Bean Sauce,

1 tablespoon Cornstarch with 2 tablespoons Water.

For Sauce:-

2 teaspoons Sugar,

2 teaspoons Soy Sauce,

2 teaspoons Sesame Oil,

2 ½ tablespoons Chili Bean Paste,

½ teaspoon ground Sichuan Pepper,

1 tablespoon Chinese Rice Wine or Dry Sherry.

Preparation Method:-

1. Soak shiitake mushrooms in 1 cup of warm water for 20 minutes. Drain mushrooms, squeezing excess water. Keep this water. Discard the stems and chop the mushroom caps. Now let’s prepare the sauce. Take a small bowl. Add in leftover water and all the ingredients mentioned under sauce. Keep aside.
2. Heat a wok. Add oil. Add the mushrooms, black bean sauce and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium. Add scallion whites, garlic, ginger and stir-fry until fragrant for 1 minute.
3. Pour in the sauce. Now add water. Bring it to boil, then simmer. Gently add tofu cubes. Allow the sauce to simmer for 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
4. In a small pan, add in the cornstarch and water mixture. Heat for 1 minute, stirring continuously. Add to the tofu gravy. Allow to simmer till the gravy thickens.
5. Garnish with green scallions. Serve hot with rice!
   
   
   

Enjoy the Chinese treat!

Celebrate Chinese New Year with Traditional Almond Cookies

Chinese New Year is here! There is gonna be lots of firework in China, symbolizing the festive spirit. It is believed that Buddha invited all the forest animals to invite him on a particular day. Twelve of them appeared and Buddha named a year after each one of them. New year calls for a huge get together and Chinese food is my all time favorite. People pay a visit to each other's house, share meals, gifts and of course happiness. 

In Chinese culture, red color is considered sacred. It symbolizes fire, which means bad luck is driven away. People wear red color garments, children write short poems on red paper. Children are given luck money in red envelopes. In ancient times, the tribals lit up bamboo stalks. They believed this would drive away the evil spirits and that they can lead a peaceful life. So lets pay a visit to our friend's place with a box of traditional almond cookies.

Ingredients:-

1 pinch salt,

100 ml corn oil,

1 beaten egg yolk,

150 gm plain flour,

100 gm caster sugar,

100 gm ground almonds,

100 gm blanched almonds,

3/4 teaspoon baking soda,

3/4 teaspoon baking powder.

Preparation Method:-

1. Sieve the flour, caster sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Add the ground almonds to the flour and sugar mixture.

2. Slowly trickle in the corn oil to this bowl. Blend until a cohesive dough forms. Heat the oven to 180 D.C. Roll the dough into small balls, place almonds above them and press a bit as shown.

3. Place on a baking tray. Make cookies until all the dough is used up. Lightly glaze the top of the cookie balls with the beaten egg yolk.

4. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cookies become slightly golden. Leave to cool. Enjoy the homemade cookies.

Happy New Year!

Celebrate the The Vegetarian Fest with Tofu and Peanut Dip

The Vegetarian Festival of Phuket, Thailand is celebrated each year at the end of September to beginning of October, which lasts for nine days. The largest island of Thailand, named as ‘Pearl of the South’ looks spectacular on this fest. On this fest, the Chinese community considers the event as the beginning of the month of ‘Taoist Lent’, according to which the followers of the Tao, restrict themselves from eating meat and meat products. The main centre where the festival is celebrated is Jui Tui temple. It is the oldest and well renowned temple of Phuket. Highlights include:

• Walking on hot coals
• Climbing knife-blade ladders
• Piercing skin with sharp tools

I thought of making something out of tofu for the vegans/vegetarians. Hope you liked my vegan recipe ideas for Father's Day special. You can smartly substitute almond with peanuts, for the people allergic to peanuts. Tofu can be deep fried directly or you can have it as follows. 

Fried Tofu with Peanut Dipping Sauce Recipe

For Deep Fried Tofu

Ingredients:-

1 pound Tofu,

Oil for deep frying as needed,

4 tablespoons Cornstarch or Flour.

Preparation method:-

1. Drain the tofu. Cut the tofu into triangles or squares as desired. Roll the tofu in the cornstarch or flour. Heat wok and add oil for deep frying. Heated the oil to 350 D. F.
2. Fry, until the tofu is golden on both sides. Remove with a skimmer spoon and drain on paper towels. Keep warm while frying the remaining tofu.
3. Serve with Chinese-Style Peanut Sauce.

For Chinese-Style Peanut Sauce

Ingredients:-

1 pinch Salt,

2 tablespoons Sugar,

2 tablespoons Vinegar,

7 sprigs sliced Cilantro,

1 teaspoon ground fresh Chili paste,

2 tablespoons toasted and crushed Peanuts.

Preparation Method:-

1. Take a large microwave bowl to prevent over boiling. In a microwavable bowl, combine sugar, ground fresh chili paste, salt and vinegar. Heat up for a minute or till sugar is dissolved.  
2. Stir the sauce with a spoon to blend all the ingredients in. Add the crushed, toasted peanuts and top with the sliced cilantro. 
   

Enjoy the spirit of the fest!

Welcome Mid-Autumn Festival with Authentic Mooncake

The Mid-Autumn Festival of China, also called the Moon Cake Festival is falling on September 8, 2014. It is denoted a harvesting festival which is stuffed with sweet treats. The markets and houses are flooded with mooncakes, a month before the arrival of the fest. Mooncakes are made up of thin dough shells. They contain heavenly fillings like red bean paste, chocolate, nuts, dates etc. This festival is considered as one of the best shindig, after the New Year celebration. It is accompanied by pomelos (Chinese grapefruit) eating competition. Well, the word eating reminds me, I’m very fond of Chinese food especially sweet and sour pork with pineapple and dumplings :P.

The Moon Cake festival is accompanied by pomelos (Chinese grapefruit), eating competition. It is marked by fire-dragon dances and lantern burning all over the night, which lightens and brightens up the place. People worship lunar goddess Chang’e and devotees burn incense sticks in the honour. Chinese believe that the Goddess lives on moon with a jade rabbit. There is a famous moon-watching spot in the city of Hangzhou. Here, there are  three candlelit towers in West Lake, beautifully decorated with lights and lanterns. Let's welcome the Moon Cake Festival with Authentic Mooncake recipe.

Authentic Mooncake Recipe

For the Mooncake Dough:-

25 ml Peanut oil,

2 ml Alkaline water,

100 grams All-purpose flour,

70 grams golden syrup.

For the Mooncake Filling:-

415 grams edible lotus paste,

40 grams melon seeds.

Preparation Method:-

1. Mix lotus paste with melon seeds. Divide the filling and shape into small balls. Set aside. Place the golden syrup in a bowl. Add in alkaline water and stir well. Add in oil and mix well.

3. Place flour in a mixing bowl, make a well in the centre. Add in the above mixture. Gently knead the dough till smooth. Dust the working surface with some flour.

5. Divide the dough into small balls. Dust hand with flour and flatten each ball of dough into a small disc, about 5 cm in diameter. Wrap in it the filling made above and shape it into balls.

6. Lightly dust the wrapped dough with some flour. Place in the mooncake mould and press the mooncake out. Place mooncake on a baking tray, with parchment paper. Spray some water on the mooncakes.

7. Bake at preheated oven at 180 D.C for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 15 minutes. Brush the top with some egg wash. Return to oven and continue to bake for another 15 minutes until golden brown.

9. Leave mooncakes to cool completely and store in airtight containers. Enjoy!

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

Uber Cup Celebration with Chinese Food

The Chinese women has achieved what their men failed to. Yes, Li Xuerui is very happy with 'Best' Uber Cup Performance. I really enjoyed watching the game. Hope you have not missed it either. The celebration in China was doubled with the favorite traditional Chinese food. Hope you enjoyed my blog Lantern Festival with with sweet and sour dumplings. Today we bring you with top Chinese recipes obviously after the number one dumplings. 

Rice noodle rolls :- If you love rice noodles, you are bound to love this very recipe. These are large sheets of rice noodle that are steamed. They are filled with bits of fried shrimp, beef or pork. They are rolled up and served with sweet soy sauce. Sesame seeds add to the flavor of the delightful treat. 

Deep-fried bacon-wrapped shrimp:- As the name indicates, shrimps are stuffed with pickled jalapenos, wrapped in bacon (whether it's of beef, chicken or pork) and then deep fried. It makes a great appetizers to be served on parties and occasions. It is chiefly accompanied by Chinese sauces.

Chinese broccoli:- Wanna have low-fat and low-carb food? Chinese broccoli is the answer to this. This vegetable is loaded with nutritional benefits. It absorbs Asian flavors and the fresh garlic and oyster sauce, satisfies the taste buds to the fullest. Enjoy the green crunchy broccoli treat. It is among the best stir-fry food!! 

Taro cake:- Taro cake is also known as yam cake and is one of most popular snacks in Hong Kong. These are dense and rectangular slabs of taro and rice flour that are pan fried. They are studded with bits of pork. The recipe is crispy outside and soft and mushy within. The cake is slightly sweeter than flavor of taro.

Fried sticky rice:- Fried rice is my all time favorite and I am sure it's your favorite too. Fried sticky rice is a bit different. It is traditionally steamed in lotus leaves and contains that mild soothing aroma. Then this rice is fried, making it easy to chew. It is studded with sweet and fatty bits of mushrooms, peanuts and Chinese sausage. Yummzz!!

 Enjoy the Chinese treat!!