Almost everyone has ordered Chinese takeout or dined in a charming restaurant at some point in their life. It is a favorite tradition and culinary delight for people of all ages and backgrounds, making Chinese food one of the most popular options for quick and diverse meals. If you find yourself enjoying this meal but want to save money by preparing it yourself, check out the following tips for making Chinese food at home.
The first thing to keep in mind before cooking it on your own is to consult reliable and reviewed recipes. You don’t want to experiment with a recipe that isn’t known to be successful or delicious. Preparation, cookware, ingredients, and timing are all key factors to plan before diving into a new recipe, especially if you’re trying to mimic one you’ve enjoyed at a restaurant in the past.
Keep in mind that your creations in the kitchen may taste a little different than those outside your home. Although there are many sauces and condiments available in stores today, some chefs use truly secret ingredients to give their dishes that special flavor that keeps you coming back for more. The best thing you can do is look for recipes that prove to be successful and enjoyed by others, as well as follow the tips below to make Chinese food at home.
the ingredients
There are some common ingredients that are well known to people who enjoy Chinese food at their favorite local restaurants or take-out places. Even the best food in China is made with the same usual ingredients that you can find here in your supermarket or international market. Farmers’ markets can also feature some of the popular produce that is key to these specialty dishes.
Before you read about the specific ingredients, take a look at this handy list. You can use this when shopping for the items you need in each category. This list is also convenient if you’re going through your cupboards or pantry to see what you have left and what you need to buy more of when you’re at the store. If you like, it can also be used as a checklist to check off what you bought at the store, or what items to look for coupons in the newspapers for. It’s the best way to save money when shopping – one of the best tips for making Chinese food at home!
Vegetables: broccoli, carrots, cabbage, peas
Meats: duck, pork, chicken, shrimp, beef
Grains: rice, noodles, lo mein
Sauces: teriyaki, sweet and sour, stir fry
Others: eggs, wontons, vegetable broth
Many of the most popular dishes are made with those common ingredients, which you have surely seen in a store or even bought before! Why order them to go when you can enjoy them at home, especially at a lower cost?
You can easily find the produce you need at the store, or you can also buy it at a farmer’s market that offers low-cost fruits and vegetables. Peas, broccoli, carrots, and cabbage are popular choices for soups, muffins, and stir-fries that you love. These are what make traditional recipes so healthy and easy on the stomach. Vegetables balance out the heavier ingredients that can put people off.
The staples of many recipes include meats such as chicken, beef, shrimp, duck, or pork. These are often the hallmark of main dishes, providing flavor and substance not found in plant-based recipes. Some of the most popular dishes like General Tso, Kung Pao, stir fry and foo yung would not be the same without their meat ingredients. You can often find them for sale at the store if you look for the right deals and coupons, which is another well-known tip for making Chinese food at home!
Grains like rice and noodles are the next staple in these fabulous recipes, due to their traditional use in Chinese culture. Rice has been cultivated in China for thousands of years, making it one of the earliest products of agriculture and civilized society. Rice is high in nutrients and calories, not to mention that it is an extremely easy food to prepare alongside your favorite dishes at home. It is also sometimes the main focus of a recipe, rather than the meat. If you want to cook a rice dish, be sure to time it correctly due to the difference in cooking times. You also don’t want to overcook the rice, because this can ruin a dish!
For many Chinese dishes, it’s all about the sauce. Most recipes rely on the rich flavors that come from sweet and sour mixes, teriyaki marinade, and soy sauce. Other sauces include duck sauce, garlic sauce, and brown sauce. Did you know there were so many sauces? The flavors you try in your takeout and restaurant dishes are often heavily seasoned with a variety of ingredients. Some places even make them from scratch, which you can do. Your recipe may be more successful if you find a sauce recipe made from scratch, rather than buying a store-bought bottle that has already been mixed. Shelf life will be shorter, but your homemade concoction may just be the ticket to authentic-tasting Chinese food.
other tips
As you can see, the ingredients themselves are an important component in creating a delicious dish that mimics the ones you enjoy when ordering or dining at a restaurant. Much of the flavor depends on the correct recipe and foods; otherwise, no matter how much effort you put into the food, it still won’t meet your expectations. If you want to know how to make Chinese food at home, just follow the tips above and you’ll be eating authentic Kung Pao in no time!
