OK, let’s start with the obvious: Chinese cuisine is delicious. Pork dumplings, beef and broccoli, fluffy rice…mmm. What you might not realize is that it’s totally possible to enjoy these and other classic dishes without using all your budget. Skip the Chinese take away tonight and try cooking some yourself. The following recipes are delicious stand-ins for the dishes that come from a restaurant, without the extra expense, questionable ingredients, and leaving home. Whip up a few tonight for you and your friends and family.
4 Chinese staple ingredients
1. Chinese five spice is a mix of star anise, cinnamon, cloves, fennel and Szechuan pepper. Find it in the spice aisle.
2. Soy sauce is made from fermented soy beans. Light soy sauce is saltier than dark. Find it in the Asian aisle.
3. Shaoxing wine is made from rice. Find it in the Asian aisle or Asian grocery stores. If unavailable use dry sherry.
4. Sesame oil is made from crushed white sesame seeds and has an intense flavour so use sparingly. Store the bottle out of direct light in a cool, dark cupboard.