What to cook
The Blind Eternities forum
Posted on Nov. 26, 2014, 1:42 p.m. by julianjmoss
So a huge chinese grocery store opened up down the street from me and i'm not really experienced with actually cooking Chinese food but really want to make something. I have access to plenty of different meats and veggies and seafood in authentic chinese food but I'm not sure what to make. If anyone has a specific recipe they like or any suggestions (i have a cookbook) please let me know.
julianjmoss says... #4
have you ever made it before/ do you have a recipe you like to use?
November 26, 2014 1:46 p.m.
julianjmoss says... #5
notamardybum i actually know how to make and am making a few different wontons. I'm looking for a main course like maybe a chicken, pork or seafood dish
November 26, 2014 1:48 p.m.
julianjmoss says... #7
Epochalyptik i am a pretty good cook although I've only cooked with a wok maybe 3 times? And the only experience with chinese food is roasting a duck peking style and making wontons
November 26, 2014 1:53 p.m.
notamardybum says... #8
no i've never made them, but it sounds delicious right now.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=how+to+make+fried+dumbplings
November 26, 2014 1:56 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #9
Well, you don't need a wok. It's plenty possible to cook great Asian food without it. But if you have one (and a gas range), then all the better.
If you can master brothmaking, you'll set yourself up for some amazing soups. I've had some homecooked Thai soups with an anise/beef broth that was to die for.
As for meals, I generally prefer dumplings, orange beef, and fish (especially fish cakes). I'm not really one for stir-fries, but they're definitely among the fastest and simplest dishes, and you can make them with whatever you like.
November 26, 2014 2:03 p.m.
julianjmoss says... #10
Yeah I just mentioned Wok because its really the only thing I could think of to show you how much experience I have with any asian techniques. I have a giant asian cookbook I got from my neighbor but it's very dense and I have so many resources at my disposal that I'm not sure where to start. All i know is that they had a beautiful array meats and fish and I want to use one of them. I have a few hours to cook so I will try an array of dumplings most likely. Thanks for the imput.
November 26, 2014 2:10 p.m.
Now I want some Chinese food. Though I'll probably just microwave some Tyson chicken.
November 26, 2014 2:32 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #12
I will say to be careful with the fish. Different cooking methods (steaming, poaching, baking, roasting, frying) leave you with completely different textures and even flavors. Don't rule something out purely based on one cooking method.
This is more Thai than Chinese, but ground catfish fish cakes are amazing. Bit of spring onion and string bean (and some makrut lime leaves) and a quick pan fry and you've got something great.
Pork generally goes best in dumplings (based on my experience), although there's a great pork dish called yu xiang rou si.
November 26, 2014 3 p.m.
A great simple marinade for beef/chicken:
2 cloves garlic chopped Ginger root (chopped/same amount as garlic) 1 cup soy sauce1/4 cup mirin2 tbsp honeyAnd 1 tbsp togarashi spice And most importantly S&P.
Brotip: if you like it spicy add in 2-3 tbsp sriracha
And you marinade your meat (cut up) in it for 2-3 hours before cooking at high heat in a wok is amazing just over some rice and steamed veggies. (snap peas all day)
So good, and supremely quick to make. Great fuel for tha body.
November 26, 2014 3:12 p.m.
ducttapedeckbox says... #14
My vote goes for dumplings. They're really simple to make and taste amazing. I made them before, and the recipe was something like this:
Dumpling wrappers (duh, but this is the hard thing to find without the right store).Ground porkNapa (cabbage)MushroomsGingerSesame OilSalt & Pepper to taste
Just chop all the stuff up and mix it together. Place a little filling in the middle of the wrapper, dip your finger in a bowl of water and wet the edge of the wrapper. Pinch it closed (make sure it's really closed!). Place them in a fry pan with a little vegetable oil until the bottoms are brown, then add some water and cover. Let the water evaporate, then stir and let cook for another minute or two.
I know this might not be as helpful without quantities, but they can be made to taste.
November 26, 2014 5:03 p.m.
julianjmoss says... #15
I made a variety of bao that turned out pretty well. I still am looking for an entree to make
November 26, 2014 5:09 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #16
Try this if you like pork. Your store should have the right kind of mushrooms.
I'm a fan of garlic chili sauces with pork and beef. Not sure what your preferred profile is.
Caligula says... #2
Kung Pao chicken! DELISH.
November 26, 2014 1:45 p.m.