Chinese cuisine enjoys high fame throughout the world.Not only does it have a reputation ofbeing delicious,it is also considered an art form in its own right.The taste and the appearance of a dish are influenced by many factors such as processing ways of the ingredients,degree ofheat,timing and the sequence of using seasonings etc.Different cooking methods and the various combinations of them are greatly valued in big restaurants,while family foods are usually cooked through a single way.However,the most common methods are stir-frying,deep-frying,shallow-frying, boiling,steaming and roasting.

Stir - frying is the basic and classic Chinese cooking method;quick cook over high heat in a small amount of oil,toss and turn the food when it cooks.In stir-frying,the ingredients are usually prepared in thin slices or small cubes and these ingredients should always be in motion.The stir-fried dishes are usually done just in a few minutes,so the nutritional value can be kept and meats stay juicy and vegetables come out green and tender-crisp.

Shallow frying uses a small amount of oil in a frying pan or wok at a temperature lower than stir-frying. Ingredients are usually cut into slices or flat pieces.Fish is ideal for this cooking method.Before being shallow fried the ingredients(such as fish,pie)are usually seasoned and slightly coated with cornstarch.The presentation side of the food should be fried first as this side will have the better appearance because the oil is clean,then turned so that both sides are cooked and browned.Shallow fried foods are crispy outside and tender inside and very delicious.Deeping frying uses much more edible oil and temperature controlis important in cooking food this way.

Steaming is a method of cooking using steam,which is considered a more healthy way of cooking than both deep and shallow frying.By steaming the food’s natural flavor is maintained and even enhanced.The tradition of steaming foods in China has a very long history and various foods can be steamed such as meats,fish,dumplings and buns stuffed with meat etc.In order to make more foods at one time several steam boxes will be used in a cooking utensil and they are put one above another.Steamed eggs are a quite traditional food in China for babies who start to eat things rather than milk.

Boiling is the simplest way of cooking.It just involves putting the ingredients into boiling water and adding seasonings.Sometimes some starch is used to make the food tasty.Boiling is suitable for cooking simple soup such as tomato and egg soup,cucumber and egg soup and seaweed soup etc.It is a homely dish for Chinese people who like this fresh and clear taste.

Roasting can be used to cook both meat and vegetables.In roasting,raw ingredients are marinated in seasonings before being roasted in an oven or barbecued over direct heat from charcoal fire,with the roast turning slowly round and round.The ingredients can be prepared in small pieces or cubes and made into kebabs or just roasted wholly.Beijing roast duck is the most famous ofall and Xinjiang kebabs can also be a good choice.

Questions Basedon the Text

Use the scanning technique to findthe answersin Text C.

1)The fame of Chinese cuisine does not only come from being delicious but also_____.

2)By_____the dish will be done just within several minutes,so meats stay juicy and vegetables come out green and tender-crisp.

3)Shallow frying is a homely way to cook_____.

4)Steaming is a healthy way to cook and_____is a traditional foodin China for babies.

5)Cucumber and egg soup is cooked through_____.

6)In_____,raw ingredients are marinatedin seasonings before being cooked.

For Fun

Books to Read

Chinese Foods is written by Liu Junru,and published by China Intercontinental Press(2004).As part of the educational and beautifully produced Cultural China Series ,this book focuses on food in Chinese culture.It introduces the Chinese view of eating,regional foods and their preparation,and how this food culture has spread so widely around the world.

Culinary Nostalgia:Regional Food Culture andthe Urban Experience in Shanghai is written by Mark Swislocki and published by Stanford University Press(2013).It is the first Western-language book to explore the unique significance that the Chinese people attach to their country’s many distinct regional foods,as well as the shifting roles that Western food plays in urban life.This book features Shanghai and the close connection between Shanghai food people’s way ofliving.

Movie to see

The Chinese Feast (《 满汉全席》，又名《金 玉满堂》 )

It is a movie about Kit,a gangster looking to start a new life as a chefin Canada so that he can be closer to his girlfriend.But in his struggle to learn the fine art of cuisine,he runs across a red-headed beauty who will change his plans,and soon finds himself off in search of the retired master who can teach him how to win in the ultimate cooking challenge.

Websites to Visit

http://www.chinesefood-recipes.com/food_articles/food_articles.php: This website offers free mouth-watering Chinese recipes,easy to follow&cook.Chinese cooking is simply rewarding!

http://chinesefood.about.com/: This website provides the most up-to-date information and articles about Chinese food,cooking materials and easy recipes.It also has recent blog posts for people to exchange experiences in cooking Chinese food.Video clips are also available here. ugqA0hJGuhRsSIig3tpT41Hu+pgZJdqPAq9s7KEt9fEaHf9AIOOhhZRHf/jitUfr