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    You are here: Home / Archives for Cuisines / Chinese

    Chinese Recipes

    Chinese recipes are popular for a reason. Who could possible resist the flavourful, vibrant and easy dishes from a Chinese restaurant's kitchen?

    Trust me, once you nail a Chinese recipe, you'll keep it in your cooking rota forever. I have at least two Chinese recipes I keep on my traditional weekly menu simply because of their  ease of preparation. Let's not forget stir-fries. It's a great way to use up leftover vegetables lying around in the fridge. Simply toss them in a hot wok with your favourite Chinese sauce. Boom! Not only are you eating healthy and sustainably, but you save money too.

    Plus, Chinese recipes are usually made with inexpensive ingredients. This way you can make your own Chinese fakeway at home and save tonnes of money on eating out. Best of all, it's not obligatory to eat and enjoy your Chinese recipes with chopsticks. However, it does have a certain fun factor about eating Chinese food.

    Chinese home cooking recipes

    Almost all Chinese recipes are manageable by home cooks. In fact, you don't have to be an expert to make a Chinese recipe at home. Some simple Chinese recipes include vegan chop suey, bang bang chicken or pea and egg fried rice.

    Again, Chinese cooking is about simplicity and flavour. Take a look at these Chinese cookbooks below to inspire yourself with Chinese recipes.

    The Best Chinese Cookbooks

    Chinese Takeaway Cookbook

    Complete Chinese Cookbook by Ken Horn

    Every Grain of Rice: Simple Chinese Home Cooking

    Chinese Food Made East

    The history of Chinese cuisine

    Where did it all start? Since China has such a long history, so does its cuisine. Some Chinese recipes have been cooked dynasties ago. Apparently, it all started in the Neolithic era which dates back roughly 4,000 years. Archeologists discovered a noodle dish made with foxtail, which are now known as the oldest noodles in the world.

    Subsequently, during the early dynastic times, the five grains cultivation system was introduced. People started cultivating hemp, broomcorn, foxtail millet, soybeans and sesame. In the Han dynasty times, wheat and rice were also introduced, along with vegetables and pears. Ducks, chickens, pigs, and sheep were domesticated. Multiple methods of preserving food were also discovered for the rationing system during war times.

    Every single dynasty put their own stamp of influence on Chinese cuisine. Hence, through 4,000 years of dynastic rule, Chinese recipes evolved. Click here to learn more about the evolution of Chinese recipes and the rich history of Chinese cuisine.

    Chinese recipes: top 11 Chinese herbs & spices

    Ultimately, there are top 11 spices and herbs used throughout Chinese recipes. I am sure, you wouldn't find a Chinese recipe without the use of at least one of these:

    1. ginger - usually is the base for a stir-fry recipe or in a soup

    2. cloves - used in hot-pots and is a main ingredient of the traditional 5-spice seasoning

    3. star anise - used to flavour a hot-pot recipe, meaty recipes and also is a part of the 5-spice mix

    4. scallions - used as a topping for soups, stir-fries, fish and rice recipes, and more

    5. chilli pepper or chilli powder - used in almost all Chinese recipes for that extra kick

    6. garlic - also used in stir-fries, chow mein, woks and more

    7. fennel seeds - used for Chinese curries and also a part of the 5-spice mix

    8. sesame seeds and sesame oil - used as a topping for practically most Chinese recipes

    9. black pepper - part of the 5-spice seasoning

    10. cassia or Chinese cinnamon - for  meaty dishes, desserts, pastries, also a part of the 5-spice mix

    11. Sichuan peppercorn - used in meat dishes, fish recipes or vegetable stir-fries

    The Best Chinese Recipes

    Oh, there are so many Chinese recipes to choose from and it was difficult to pick my favourites because I love them all. Here are the best of the best Chinese recipes but don't forget at the bottom of this post you will find my complete collection of Chinese recipes. Have fun!


    Tofu In Black Bean Sauce

    If you're vegetarian and would prefer more protein in your meal, this tofu recipe is it! Meat lovers enjoy this tofu stir fry as well.


    Chinese Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup

    No Chinese meal is complete without starting it with Chicken & Sweetcorn soup. This takeaway version is easy and quick to prepare and only uses fresh ingredients.


    Prawn Dumplings with Soy and Mirin Dipping Sauce

    Another great starter with which you simply can't go wrong is this recipe for prawn dumplings. It's light, low in fat and incredibly moreish!


    Chinese Mixed Vegetable Stir Fry

    Vegetarians are definitely not left out when it comes to Chinese food. This vegetable stir fry works great as a meain course served with rice, or can simply be treated as a side dish. Your choice!


    Egg Fried Rice

    Egg Fried Rice is one of the most famous Chinese recipes out there. Peas are added for extra vitamins but you can omit them if you prefer.


    Salt and Chilli Chips

    Salt and Chilli Chips are very popular and with good reason. It's simple to prepare, uses simple ingredients and contains no MSG - the perfect fakeaway recipe!


    Vegan Chop Suey

    Vegans can dive right into this Chop Suey. It's salty, sweet, crunchy and contains loads of nutritients which makes it a healthy dish.


    Beef Chow Mein

    You can't go wrong with a Chow Mein, can you? Give this colorful beef version a whirl. It's a perfect one pan dish!


    Hong Kong-Style Sweet and Sour Chicken

    Sweet and Sour Chicken is famous for reason. Try it to find out why. If you're already a fan, now you can make it at home!


    Shrimp in Oyster Sauce

    Love seafood? Then you'll love this classic Chinese prawn dish. It's a great weeknight dinner recipe because it takes under 30 minutes to prepare.


    Salt and Chilli Chicken

    Salt and Chilli Chicken is another one of my insanely popular recipes on Greedy Gourmet. Try it and you'll find out why!

    fascinating Chinese ingredients

    Of course, if you travel to China as a Westerner, sometimes you are confronted with the weirdest Chinese dishes. This is because, in China, sustainable cooking in on a whole other level than the Western world.

    Plus, if you travel for business, you'll get the occasional 'let's see what the tourist can handle' attitude. I've heard many stories of business men being confronted with the strangest of ingredients such as:

    1.  chicken or duck's feet - no kidding, these are a delicacy

    2. various types of snakes

    3. sea cucumbers - they look worse than they sound, but they are regarded as the ultimate delicacy

    4. eyeballs of certain fish - especially that of tuna

    5. scorpions - deep fried on a stick, a very popular street food

    6. turtles for soup

    7. thousand year old eggs - soaked in a brine for 100 days hence they turn green

    8. and other ingredients which I won't mention

    Would you dare to try some of these ingredients?

    10 Chinese sauces for Chinese recipes

    Here are just a few examples of sauces with which you can make extraordinary Chinese recipes. These are commonly used to enhance the flavour even further of dishes, so don't be afraid to experiment. If you love Chinese food, you will have to buy at least one bottle of each of these sauces in your kitchen cupboard.

    soy sauce

    oyster sauce

    black bean sauce

    rice vinegar

    rice wine vinegar

    soybean paste / sauce

    hoisin sauce

    char sui sauce

    yellow bean sauce

    black bean garlic sauce

    chinese recipes with pictures

    Take a look below and inspire yourself with a variety of Chinese recipes. I am sure you will find one that you'll fall in love with.

    king prawn chow mein

    King Prawn Chow Mein

    Close up of a salt and pepper mixture

    Salt and Pepper Seasoning

    Round plate of salt and pepper chips

    Salt and Pepper Chips

    Cloe up of a keto edamame recipe

    Edamame Salad

    Fresh stirred bok choy.

    Bok Choy Stir Fry

    Close up of lettuce meat cups with red peppers as garnsih

    Yuk Sung

    Plate of white rice topped with honey chicken chilli

    Honey Chilli Chicken

    Slimming World Egg Fried Rice

    Orange Peel Chicken

    Oyster Sauce

    Shrimp in Oyster Sauce

    Oyster Sauce Stirfry

    Chicken in Oyster Sauce Stir Fry with Mushrooms

    Chopsuey Vegan

    Vegan Chop Suey

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