Chinese Cooking 101 - Prepare a "Proper" Chinese Dinner

Summary

In this video, Mandy from Souped Up Recipes demonstrates how to prepare a quick and traditional Chinese three-course dinner, featuring chicken pepper stir-fry, meatball soup, and a bean sprout side dish. She shares tips on cooking and meal structure, emphasizing time-saving techniques for a multi-dish meal. The video also delves into Chinese dining culture, highlighting the balance of meat, vegetables, and soup. With easy-to-follow instructions and insights on Chinese cooking methods, Mandy shows how to make flavorful, everyday Chinese dishes at home. Sponsored by Souped Up Recipes Wok.

Takeaways

• 😀 Chinese dinners typically consist of a meat main dish, soup, and a vegetable side dish, with variations based on the occasion.
• 😀 A standard Chinese dinner can be simplified for home cooking, with only one main dish and side, unlike large events that feature multiple dishes.
• 😀 To save time, frozen chicken can be microwaved for 20-30 seconds on each side to make it easier to slice before cooking.
• 😀 For rice, it is important to rinse it briefly to remove dust and cook it at a low heat to avoid burning and ensure fluffiness.
• 😀 Vegetables like pea leaves and bean sprouts are commonly used in Chinese cooking, and they should be rinsed gently to remove dirt and sand.
• 😀 The chicken for stir-fry should be marinated with salt, cornstarch, and Chinese cooking wine before cooking.
• 😀 A stir-fry sauce can be made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, Chinese black vinegar, and other seasonings, but it is best served with white rice due to its saltiness.
• 😀 Ground pork for meatballs is seasoned with soy sauce, oyster sauce, Chinese cooking wine, five-spice powder, and cornstarch before forming into balls.
• 😀 Chinese stir-fry is quick, often cooked in under 10 minutes once all the ingredients are prepared.
• 😀 Soup in Chinese cuisine is usually light and subtle, designed to fill you up a bit before the main meal to aid digestion.
• 😀 Unlike Western meals, Chinese cuisine does not typically include dessert after dinner, with fruit being the most common after-meal treat.
• 😀 The fortune cookie commonly found in takeout restaurants does not exist in China, highlighting the cultural difference.

Q & A

What are the three dishes included in the three-course Chinese dinner meal Mandy is preparing?

The three dishes are chicken pepper stir-fry, meatball soup, and a bean sprout side dish.

Why does Mandy mention using frozen chicken breast for the stir-fry?

Mandy uses frozen chicken breast to demonstrate a quick method for defrosting. By microwaving it for 20-30 seconds on each side, the chicken becomes soft enough to slice, saving time when you forget to defrost meat.

How does Mandy recommend cooking rice if you don't have a rice cooker?

Mandy suggests cooking rice on the stove. After rinsing the rice, add water (2 cups rice to 2.33 cups water), bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes. It's essential to time this correctly to avoid burning the rice.

What is the cultural significance of a typical Chinese dinner?

A typical Chinese dinner usually consists of three parts: a meat dish, a vegetable dish, and soup. This is a standard meal format for a four-member family, and the balance of vegetables with meat reflects traditional practices aimed at managing food costs.

What should you do if you accidentally forget to defrost chicken?

Mandy suggests microwaving the frozen chicken for 20-30 seconds on each side to soften it. This method helps you slice the chicken without fully cooking it, making it easier to work with.

Why is it important to rinse the rice before cooking?

Rinsing the rice removes dust and impurities. While it's not necessary to make the water completely clear, rinsing a couple of times ensures better quality and a cleaner final product.

What are the basic ingredients for the stir-fry sauce?

The basic ingredients for the stir-fry sauce include soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, Chinese black vinegar, white pepper, sugar, cornstarch, and stock or water.

What kind of stock can you use for the meatball soup?

Mandy uses chicken stock for the soup, but you can also use beef stock, vegetable stock, or even just water as alternatives.

How does Mandy recommend cooking the bean sprout side dish?

Mandy cooks the bean sprouts by stir-frying them with garlic, ginger, and dried red chilies on high heat. She adds Sichuan peppercorn powder, soy sauce, black vinegar, and Lao Gan Ma for a fermented flavor.

What does Mandy mean by saying the chicken stir-fry is 'not super fancy'?

Mandy explains that the chicken stir-fry is a simple, everyday dish, with a focus on practicality and flavor. Chinese home meals, especially in traditional settings, are not about elaborate presentation but about satisfying, balanced flavors.

Why does Mandy suggest eating fruit after a big Chinese dinner instead of dessert?

Mandy points out that in Chinese culture, fruit is the most common after-dinner treat. It is light, refreshing, and healthy, unlike Western desserts such as chocolate or ice cream, which are typically seen as snacks eaten occasionally rather than after a meal.