Chinese cuisine - one of the most famous and popular in the world. Along with Italian, Chinese restaurants can be found anywhere on the planet. The secret to the popularity of the culinary traditions of China in the original and exceptionally harmonious flavor dishes and the chefs skill.

History and tradition

Chinese cuisine is one of the oldest in the world: it more than three thousand years. At all times in China refers to the art of cooking is very serious: it is always highly valued art of cooking. Eating in China - more than the satisfaction of hunger, is a ritual. About food philosophical treatises were written and composed poems and the first known cookbook appeared in China for fifteen hundred years ago.

To Chinese cooks traditionally subject to special requirements. For example, the food should be not only delicious, but also useful, even healing. To do this, add useful herb dishes and products, in addition, it paid special attention to harmony in the diet of male and female (Yin and Yang). Therefore, there is a table of random dishes: All menus subject to the laws of harmony, lovingly selected for the decoration of dishes.

The principles of Chinese cooking

One of the main principles of Chinese cooking - careful preparation products. All ingredients must be washed, cleaned, cut into slices of the same size and the same shape. Dishes from a single piece of meat or coarsely chopped vegetables for Chinese cuisine atypical: all the ingredients of foods are crushed.

Typically, such pre-training takes a lot of time. But heat treatment lasts a few minutes. Generally, the ingredients very quickly fried separately in a special dish - vokah. Since the products are usually cut into small and often still soaked in marinades, this time is enough. The speed of cooking has long helped the Chinese cook to save fuel, which in China has always been a problem. However, the tradition of finely chop the food and quickly fry it was at the court of the emperor: there it is due to the fact that is not good to force VIP expend energy for grinding food - so the pieces were offered just "one bite."

Despite the fact that most Chinese dishes created from a plurality of components, all ingredients are prepared separately and are mixed only in the final. Thus chefs create amazing dishes of China, which have no analogues in the world. Interestingly, many of these foods are designed to "deceive" consumers, surprise them. For example, pig meat attached to the appearance and taste of chicken meat flavored with fish, vegetables and fruits mimic. And the pinnacle of cooking art is considered to be the ability to hide the true taste of the dish, giving it a new, unexpected flavor and aroma.

The well-known adage that there are no bad foods, and there are bad cooks, probably born in China. Local masters can cook a gourmet meal from the most primitive materials. Careful handling and extensive use of spices, sauces and spices makes the most common products in the real culinary masterpieces.

Favourite products

Chinese cuisine is unthinkable without herbs and spices. Ginger and garlic, black, white and red peppers, nutmeg and cinnamon, star anise Star anise: Anise sworn brother   and herbs - the list is endless. With great respect here and MSG, which has the ability to enhance all tastes. Also dishes seasoned with sesame oil and soy sauce, rice vinegar, vodka and wine.

The staple food is rice in China (usually short-grain); he accompanies any meal. Of other cereals preference wheat, millet, barley. Various dishes of noodles (hot and cold, soups and main dishes) is almost as popular as rice. With respect for the bean: soybeans, mung beans, beans Asuka, peas. Make a lot of soy foods: soy milk, soy cheese, a special meal, and of course, the famous soy sauce.

The most popular meat in China - pork. Its value for the neutral taste and quick preparation. In those areas of China where strong Muslim influence, on the first place the use of beef and mutton. A chicken like in all regions of China. Most dishes are prepared from ducks: Many gourmets specially sent to China to enjoy the taste of the famous duck Peking.

The most popular vegetables include cabbage, broccoli, cucumber, bean sprouts, celery Celery: vegetable with obvious advantages , salad. For dessert, fresh fruit or sweet dishes - rice, sweet cakes and pastries, herbal jellies, puddings.

Popular dishes

Outside China, the most famous dishes following:

• Deems - under this name hides a variety of snacks are served to tea before dinner. It may be small portions of desserts, fruits, vegetables or seafood, pancakes, rolls, soup and rice porridge, pastries;
• Peking Duck is a duck, marinated in honey and baked whole. Before serving, cut into thin slices the meat and the bones can be used for making broth;
• Fried rice. This dish is common in Southeast Asia, but it is particularly popular in China. Pre-cooked or uncooked rice fried in boiling oil, is sometimes added to the dish a variety of fresh vegetables;
• Century egg - a very peculiar Chinese dish whose appearance can scare unsophisticated consumer. For cooking chicken or duck eggs for several months maintained without air access in a special alkaline mixture. As a result, the protein becomes thick and brown, and the yolk - green, creamy, with a strong smell of ammonia. Such eggs are served cut into slices as self-starters Low calorie snacks   or used as ingredients for some dishes.

Maria Bykov

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