Top 10 Chinese recipes
Celebrate Chinese New Year with 10 of the best Chinese recipes from our collection.
Cantonese-style roast duck
We're starting with a good one: a whole roast duck prepared in a traditional method. The inside of the duck is rubbed with ginger (both ground and fresh), five spice powder, hoisin sauce and a little sugar, then left to dry before cooking. Once roasted, the skin crisps up and the aroma finds its way through the kitchen and throughout the house, bringing everybody running for a slice. Serve with stir fried vegetables and noodles or rice.
Hoisin roast duck rice rolls
If there's roast duck left over from the above (unlikely), you can make these rice rolls as a follow-up meal. These are rolls of contrasting properties, making them supremely moreish. The sweet hoisin sauce is met by sharp Granny Smith apple shreds and tangy pickled vegetables, while the tender meat is wrapped in crispy pastry.
Steamed 'rabbit' dumplings
If you have reservations about eating those floppy-eared friends, fear not. These dumplings contain prawn, pork and bamboo, but are crafted into little rabbit shapes before cooking. This one will take a bit of practice to get right, but the finished dumplings will be adorable and addictive.
Lobster with ginger and spring onion
Sweet lobster with a classic Chinese flavour combination: ginger, spring onion and garlic. Once braised, the liquid is used to cook the accompanying noodles, so that they too soak up all the delicious flavour. Serve with diced spring onion, sprigs of coriander, and some chilli sauce if you fancy it.
Steamed fish Cantonese style
A traditional dish to serve around Chinese New Year, due to its traditional link to prosperity, steamed fish is firm but tender and it's one of the healthiest ways to cook.
The flavours are light, making it a good choice for those with less of an appetite, or to make as part of a feast.
Crispy pork
A twice-cooked pork recipe that's hugely popular in the Sichuan province. The pork skin "literally melts in your mouth" and the fresh baby vegetables and sugar snap peas add a mild and upliftign sweetness to the savoury meat. Try adding some diced fresh chillis for a bit of a kick, or alternatively serve with Sriracha sauce on the side.
Sichuanese 'dry-fried' green beans
The 'normal' version of this meal is made with minced pork, but these beans can be enjoyed as a side or as a delicious and healthy light vegetarian lunch on their own. Adjust the amount of ginger and garlic you use to your own tastes, and add other vegetables like mushrooms or peppers if you want a bit more variety.
Duck breasts with lime sauce
Duck breasts served with a less traditional, but still delicious, sauce. Fresh lime juice and ginger are familiar flavours, but are mixed in with crème fraîche to create a creamy sauce for the duck. Serve with a garnish of chives and green beans.
Crispy wontons
Crispy dumplings made with tiger prawns (use other types if you can't get these) and Chinese mushrooms. Add in some diced vegetables and herbs, then deep fry until golden brown.
Serve with dipping sauce; sweet chilli, soy, or whatever else you think will work.
Egg fried rice
If you're looking for a side dish to tie any of the above together, here's Jeremy Pang's recipe for egg fried rice. Used cooked and cooled rice, and make sure your rice is mixed really well into the egg. Add white and black toasted sesame seeds and diced spring onions on top to add some colour, and place a bottle of soy sauce on the table so people can help themselves.
You might also like:
How to use chopsticks properly
Comments
Be the first to comment
Do you want to comment on this article? You need to be signed in for this feature