The Best of 2000
Happy New Year everyone! Traditionally, the beginning of the year is a
time for reflection and taking stock. With respect to the Chinese cuisine site,
it's a time for exploring how I can make the site better meet the needs of
my readers.
Last year, I indicated that my resolution for 2000 was to have more photographs
accompanying the written text in my articles. While I have added photographs of ingredients and various cooking utensils, I'd like to do
more in this area. For example, in the future a recipe for making fried rice or dumplings
could include photographs
of each stage of the process. My other goal for 2001 is to provide more
recipes with a calorie count, possibly accompanied by a nutritional breakdown.
In the meantime, here's a look back at the most popular features on my site for 2000:
Most Popular Articles
- The Miracle of Green Tea
Far and away my most popular article of the year. I looked at the health benefits of green tea, and provided some basic brewing instructions along with recipes and related links.
- Fried Rice is Nice
Basic step-by-step instructions for boiling rice, along with recipes for Yangchow and Sun Ya fried rice.
- Szechuan Cuisine - Some like
it hot
Explores the hot and fiery cuisine of China's western regions. Along with some history, you'll find recipes for local favorites such as Kung Pao Chicken and Hot and Sour Soup.
- Dim Sum.. and then some
What to expect when you visit a dim sum restaurant. Includes a bit of history - did you know that dim sum may have served as the inspiration for western brunches? Recipes include mango pudding and egg custard tarts, desserts traditionally served at a dim sum brunch.
- Food as Medicine
An article exploring how the Chinese use ingredients to prevent illness. For example, shark's fin is rumored to be good for the complexion, while Chinese black mushrooms are thought to lower blood pressure.
Most Popular Net Links Pages
- Poultry
A page devoted to cooking with chicken or duck. I have an extensive list of recipes, including Beggars Chicken, Drunken Chicken, Chicken Lo Mein, and many more.
- Noodles
- Includes an article with photographs of different types of noodles, and
lots of recipes.
- Online Recipe Sites
-
My links to other sites featuring Asian recipes. I try to provide a wide
range of sites that will satisfy everyone from the beginner to the long-time
fan of Chinese cooking.
- Szechuan
Style Cuisine
- Recipes that typify Szechuan regional cooking, including
Szechuan Beef, Bang Bang Chicken, and Twice Cooked Pork.
- Food and Culture - Explores the role food plays in Chinese culture.
Most Popular Pages Elsewhere on my Site
- Restaurants
- A
growing index of restaurants from around the world, personally recommended
by readers.
- Dim Sum
-
From my recipe file - includes recipes for egg rolls, honey garlic
spareribs, mini spring rolls, and more.
- Asian Culinary Glossary
of Ingredients and Cooking Terms
- As with restaurants, an ever-growing
resource that defines the various ingredients and terms used in Asian
cooking. I've tried to include basic cooking terms as well, such as
"blanch" and "julienne." Coming Soon: a list of alternative words to make it easier to find specific
ingredients.
- Eggroll Energizers
- Tips for preparing eggrolls that are neither too dry or too soggy.
- Oriental Oasis - The most recent
issue of my free email newsletter, updated weekly.
- Finger Tapping
-
Learn the story behind this charming custom.
Most Popular Forum Threads
- ABC
Game
A fun game where we go through the alphabet - the only rule is that you have to pick ingredients or dishes related to Asian cuisine.
- Rice
Cooker Recommendations
I'm cooking rice so often these days that I need to buy a rice cooker. Readers had several suggestions about the best types and brands.
- Deep
fry or Deep-fry?
We had a fun debate over this one - I'm still not entirely sure which is correct.
- Chinese
Soups
Readers recommend their favorites.
- Won
tons
This turned into a discussion about Crab Rangoon, with several recipes.
Most Popular Polls
- Fortune Cookies: Do
You Eat Yours?
Survey says yes!
- Would you eat at a
restaurant that uses MSG to season the food?
Readers were almost evenly split on this one.
- Chinese Restaurant
Syndrome
Are you hungry an hour after eating Chinese food?
- Are You a Vegetarian?
While vegetarians were in the minority, many readers were interested in learning more about it.
Most Popular Recipes from my Recipe File
- Kung Pao Chicken
-
The winner again this year, although Fried Rice with Ham was quite popular
as well.
- Fried Rice with Ham
- From Helen Chen's Chinese Home Cooking.
- Hot and Sour Soup
A spicy Szechuan dish, made with bean curd, dried lily buds, and wood ears (a type of fungus - you can substitute Chinese black mushrooms).
- Mooncakes
Traditionally served during the Chinese Moon or Mid-Autumn festival.
- Egg Rolls
A standard favorite, made with pork.
Most Commonly asked email question
- Why don't the Chinese dishes I make at home taste
the same as restaurant food?
There are number of reasons. First and foremost, restaurant stoves have powerful burners, providing intense heat that simply can't be duplicated at home. However, it's also true that restaurants often adapt Chinese recipes to suit western tastes. For example, dishes such as Ginger Beef are often deep-fried twice to make them more crispy. The cook will prepare a batch earlier in the day, and then deep-fry a portion for the second time when a customer places an order. Also, sauces often taste sweeter. I remember the first time I had Ginger Beef at a local Chinatown restaurant. This restaurant had an excellent reputation, and the Ginger Beef was very good (much better than take-out) but the sauce was much sweeter than any that I've made at home since. Finally, restaurants may use prepackaged seasonings that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Gung Hay
Fat Choy! (Happy New Year!)
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