Category Archives: Techniques

Stir-fry Fortnight I – The Meaning of Stir-fry

Stir-fry Pepper Steak

Stir-fry Pepper Steak

After ranting about the lack of accuracy and authenticity in Chinese cooking articles by Western food writers in my previous posts, I have to point out there are exceptions. Occasionally I come across some insightful articles and eagerly study them. One such example was “The Glory of Red Cooking” in the March 2007 issue of Saveur magazine by Grace Young. The article meticulously retells the tradition and background of red cooking, and includes some very practical recipes. This article inspired me to embark on recording many Chinese cooking techniques I researched and used in my kitchen. One of the results of this pursuit is what I will be offering you during the next two weeks: The meaning of stir-fry.

Also posted in Beef, Dry Wok Stir-fry (煸炒), Recipes | Tagged | Series: | 5 Responses

Bloomin’ Chinese Chives

Stir-fry Chinese Chive Blossoms and Tofu

Stir-fry Chinese Chive Blossoms and Tofu
Photography by Ron Boszko

When I was growing up I hated the smell and taste of chives, specifically Chinese chives. I remembered encountering Chinese chives in stir-fries with ground pork or shrimp, or sprinkled on top of steamed rice cake. I would always pick the chives off carefully before eating. I do not recall when it was that my palate changed and I began to enjoy Chinese chives. Now I don’t just enjoy them; I adore them.

Also posted in Dry Wok Stir-fry (煸炒), Recipes, Vegetables, Vegetarian | 6 Responses

Anatomy of a Chinese Banquet Menu

Chinese New Year Tangerine

Chinese New Year Tangerine

It was Chinese New Year’s Eve and I was in Chinatown buying last minute supplies for the family gathering. Although I had already braved throngs of holiday shoppers in Chinatown last weekend, I decided I would return to buy fresh seafood and produce on New Year’s Eve. I was pleasantly surprised that the shops were not overly crowded. I was expecting to claw my way through the fishmonger and fight for the last fresh DongGu mushroom in the produce markets. Instead I found aisles wide open at the dry goods stores and plenty of supplies at the fishmonger and produce markets. This rather leisurely pace of shopping gave me time to ponder what I had decided to do this year for Chinese New Year celebration: two TEN-COURSE dinners within the span of four days.

A chill ran up my spine. What have I done?

Also posted in Stories | Tagged , | 4 Responses

How Long Does It Take Anyway?

Steamer in Kitchen

Chive and Tofu in Wok

My neighbor, Kim, had a revelation the other night while observing me make a stir-fry of blooming chives with tofu. She noticed while I spent a bit of time chopping and preparing the ingredients, it only took me about 10 minutes to finish the dish stir-frying it.

Posted in Techniques | Tagged | 1 Response

Double Winter Delights

Double Winter Delights

Winter Bamboo Shoots

I was in Chinatown last weekend shopping for Chinese provisions to bring back to Harlem. To my delight I noticed that dong sun (冬筍), or winter bamboo shoots, are in season. Winter bamboo shoots are one of the prized vegetables, along with dong gu mushrooms (冬菇 or winter mushroom) eagerly awaited in markets by shoppers in China during winter. They used to be two of the few fresh vegetables available during the harsh winter months. Therefore they are revered and commonly paired in winter dishes.

Also posted in Moist Stir-fry (滑炒), Recipes, Vegetables | 2 Responses

Hong Shao Rou (Red Cooked Pork)

Red Cooked Pork

Red Cooked Pork
Photography by Ron Boszko

I don’t understand why Hong Shao Rou (紅燒肉) is never on a Chinese restaurant menu in America. Maybe it is simply just too exotic or “home style.” But ask any Chinese person and they can tell you stories of grandmother’s Hong Shao Rou. Family recipes are often guarded secrets, and only passed down within the family members through generations.

Also posted in Pork, Recipes, Red Cooking | Tagged | Series: | 48 Responses
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