1-2-3-4-5 Ribs is a dish that’s come in and out of my consciousness with an almost mystical quality. I didn’t know the origin of the name, nor had I ever tried it. But every so often, I’d hear of it again and wonder what everyone else seemed to know that I didn’t! So when I […]
Sesame Oil: Everything You Need to Know
Sesame oil is a key ingredient in our list of 10 Essential Chinese Pantry Ingredients. It’s one of those Asian staples that has made its way out into the mainstream. These days, even regular grocery stores stock it. It can quickly add that “Asian” twist to any recipe, and it’s an important flavor agent not […]
15 Nourishing Chinese Soup Recipes
As a middle-aged Chinese woman, I’ve picked up some useful do’s and don’ts throughout the years. One major DO I’ve learned is to have more nourishing soups in one’s diet this time of year. We all love autumn for its beautiful foliage and comfortable weather, but as temperatures drop, the chill in the air is […]
Chinese Rice Cake Soup
This Chinese rice cake soup or niángāo tāng (年糕汤) is as delicious as it is comforting! Rice cake soup is also big in Korea. Indeed, when you search for “rice cake soup” on Google, nearly all the recipes are for Korean tteokguk. Well I’m here to represent how the Chinese make rice cake soup, and […]
Buckwheat Pancakes (Gluten-free!)
While I consider myself a somewhat healthy eater (though I do enjoy a good heaping bowl of pork belly), I’m not one for eating healthy food only for the sake of being healthy! So for me, Buckwheat Pancakes are one of my favorite breakfasts not just because they’re healthy, but because they’re a win-win on […]
Perfect Yellow Cake
Our family has experimented for years to pin down the perfect yellow cake recipe. Well by George, I think we’ve finally done it! Defining the Perfect Yellow Cake First, let’s get on the same page about what we look for in the perfect yellow cake. For us, an ideal cake has the following qualities: A […]
Soup Dumplings (Xiaolongbao)
Chinese Soup Dumplings, or xiaolongbao (小笼包), are perhaps the most perfect single bite of food ever conceived by man. This tantalizing, dreamy snack is probably the most famous dish to come out of the Jiangnan region of China. It is often associated with the city of Shanghai (the largest city in the region by population, and […]
Shaoxing Wine: The Key to Authentic Chinese Cooking
Shaoxing wine is perhaps the most common ingredient on The Woks of Life that you’ve never heard of. If you’ve ever wondered why your homemade Chinese food doesn’t taste like what you’d get at a restaurant, Shaoxing wine may be the key missing element! We call for Shaoxing wine in many recipes, from stir-fries to […]
