A Beginner’s Guide to Cooking Basic Chinese Dishes

Chinese cuisine is known for its diverse flavors, textures, and techniques, and learning to cook these dishes can open up a whole new world of culinary creativity. Whether you’re new to cooking or just looking to explore the basics of Chinese cuisine, this article will guide you through some of the most essential dishes that every beginner should know. By focusing on a few fundamental recipes and techniques, you’ll soon be able to create your favorite Chinese meals at home with ease.

Understanding Chinese Cooking

Before we dive into the recipes, it’s important to understand the basic principles of Chinese cooking. Chinese cuisine often emphasizes balance, harmony, and the use of fresh ingredients. The preparation techniques, including stir-frying, steaming, braising, and deep-frying, all play a significant role in developing the unique textures and flavors of Chinese food.

One of the main flavor profiles in Chinese cooking comes from the combination of five key elements: sour, sweet, bitter, salty, and umami. These flavors are often balanced in a single dish to create a harmonious meal.

For beginners, the first step is familiarizing yourself with the ingredients that are common in Chinese cooking. Some staples include soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, oyster sauce, ginger, garlic, green onions, and hoisin sauce. These ingredients will form the base for many recipes.

Now, let’s dive into some fundamental Chinese dishes that are perfect for beginners.

1. Fried Rice (Chao Fan)

Fried rice is one of the easiest and most versatile dishes you can make, and it’s a great starting point for anyone new to Chinese cooking. The beauty of fried rice is that you can use almost any leftover ingredients, making it a perfect dish for meal prepping.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked jasmine rice (preferably cold)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup diced carrots
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prep the Ingredients: Cook the rice ahead of time and allow it to cool in the refrigerator. This helps the rice grains separate, making it easier to fry.
2. Cook the Eggs: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat and add a little oil. Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble them until fully cooked. Remove the eggs from the pan and set them aside.
3. Stir-fry Vegetables: In the same pan, add the remaining oil and sauté the diced carrots and peas until they’re tender.
4. Add Rice: Add the cold rice to the pan and stir to break up any clumps. Stir-fry the rice for a few minutes until it starts to crisp slightly.
5. Season: Add soy sauce, sesame oil, and the cooked eggs back into the pan. Stir everything together and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

Fried rice is incredibly customizable, so feel free to experiment with different vegetables, meats, or even tofu to suit your taste.

2. Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sweet and sour chicken is a beloved dish in Chinese-American cuisine. It combines crispy chicken with a tangy, sweet sauce that is simply irresistible. While it might seem complicated, it’s actually straightforward to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 500g boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil for frying
• 1/2 cup bell peppers, chopped
• 1/2 cup pineapple chunks

For the Sauce:

• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Dip the chicken pieces in the beaten egg, then coat them with cornstarch. This creates a light batter that will crisp up when fried.
2. Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
3. Make the Sauce: In a separate pan, combine ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then add the cornstarch-water mixture to thicken the sauce.
4. Combine Everything: Add the bell peppers and pineapple chunks to the sauce, and cook for a few minutes until the vegetables are tender. Add the fried chicken to the pan and toss everything together until the chicken is coated in the sauce.
5. Serve: Serve hot over steamed rice for a delicious and satisfying meal.

This dish is perfect for beginners because it requires minimal ingredients and is quick to prepare.

3. Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken is one of the most famous dishes in Sichuan cuisine. It’s known for its combination of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors, with a satisfying crunch from peanuts. The key to a successful Kung Pao Chicken is getting the balance of flavors right.

Ingredients:

• 500g boneless chicken breast, cut into cubes
• 1/4 cup unsalted peanuts
• 2 dried red chilies (optional for spice)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, minced
• 2 green onions, chopped

For the Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine the chicken with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 teaspoon cornstarch. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.
2. Make the Sauce: In another bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, and cornstarch-water mixture. Set aside.
3. Cook the Chicken: Heat oil in a pan or wok over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
4. Stir-fry the Aromatics: In the same pan, add the dried chilies, garlic, ginger, and peanuts. Stir-fry until fragrant.
5. Combine: Return the chicken to the pan and pour in the sauce. Stir everything together until the chicken is coated with the sauce and it thickens slightly.
6. Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot with steamed rice.

Kung Pao Chicken is a great dish to learn because it introduces the balance of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors that is central to Chinese cuisine.

4. Chinese Dumplings (Jiaozi)

Dumplings are an essential part of Chinese cuisine, especially during the Chinese New Year, when they symbolize wealth and prosperity. Making dumplings from scratch might sound intimidating, but they’re actually quite simple once you get the hang of it.

Ingredients:

• 300g ground pork or chicken
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cabbage
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Dumpling wrappers (store-bought)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Filling: In a bowl, combine the ground meat, chopped cabbage, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and salt. Mix until well combined.
2. Assemble the Dumplings: Place a small spoonful of the filling onto the center of a dumpling wrapper. Wet the edges of the wrapper with a little water and fold it in half to seal. Pinch the edges to create pleats.
3. Cook the Dumplings: You can either steam or pan-fry the dumplings. For steaming, place the dumplings in a steamer and steam for about 10 minutes. For pan-frying, heat a little oil in a pan, place the dumplings flat side down, and cook until the bottoms are golden. Then add a bit of water, cover, and let them steam until cooked through.
4. Serve: Serve with a soy sauce and vinegar dipping sauce.

Dumplings are a fun dish to make with family and friends, and they’re a great introduction to Chinese cooking.

Conclusion

Cooking Chinese food at home is a rewarding experience, and these basic dishes are the perfect starting point for beginners. With a little practice and the right ingredients, you’ll soon be able to master these recipes and explore even more complex Chinese dishes. Whether you’re craving a comforting bowl of fried rice, a crispy and tangy sweet and sour chicken, or a spicy Kung Pao Chicken, these recipes will give you a taste of authentic Chinese flavors. Enjoy the process, and happy cooking!