Ingredient Name: Chinese Hawthorn Fruit (Dried) also known as Crataegus Traditional Chinese Name: 山楂 (shānzhā) My mom is a big fan of drinking this as a sweet soup. The Chinese also drink this by the bucket load while doing hot pot as it relieves heatiness and helps with digestion. My children love to… Continue reading Hawthorn (Dried)
Category: Ingredients
Ox-Tail (Fresh)
Ingredient Name: Oxtail (Fresh) Traditional Chinese Name: 牛尾 (niu wei) What is this? Also known as beef tail, it is a bony, gelatinous meat, and is usually slow-cooked, often stewed or braised. It is a good stock base for a soup. The oxtail is usually skinned and cut into short lengths for sale They usually come with… Continue reading Ox-Tail (Fresh)
Euryale Ferox (or Fox Nuts)
Ingredient Name: Euryale Ferox, Fox Nuts, Foxnuts, Makhana, or Gorgon Plant Traditional Chinese Name: 芡實 (qiàn shí ) What is this? The white starchy seeds are produced from a flowering plant in the water lily family The plant grows in water, with large, round leaves and purple flowers Each flower pod contains around 8-12… Continue reading Euryale Ferox (or Fox Nuts)
Lotus Seeds
Ingredient Name: Lotus Seeds Traditional Chinese Name: 蓮子(lián zi) What is this? Dried lotus seeds (also known as lotus nuts) are the interior of the lotus plant There are two types of commercial lotus seeds: Brown peel (pictured above) or white (pictured below) They are usually cored or split in half in order to remove… Continue reading Lotus Seeds
Onions (Fresh)
Ingredient Name: Onions (Fresh) Traditional Chinese Name: 洋蔥 (yáng cōng) What is this? The onion is a vegetable It is virtually found in dishes and recipes in every culture around the world Onions come in a variety of sizes (small ones are called shallots) and colours (like the red or yellow onion) Onions are durable… Continue reading Onions (Fresh)
Bok Choy (Dried)
Ingredient Name: Bok Choy (Dried) or Chinese Cabbage Traditional Chinese Name: 菜乾 (cài gān) What is this? Bok Choy is part of the cabbage family and is often called chinese cabbage It has thick, white stalks and dark green leaves that have a round shape Drying the bok choy dates back from Chinese history as… Continue reading Bok Choy (Dried)
Pork Bones (Fresh)
Ingredient Name: Pork Bones (Fresh) Traditional Chinese Name: 豬骨 (zhū gǔ) What is this? Pork bones can be extracted from any part of the pig They usually come with some meat attached How do I prepare it? When store bought, it is usually already cut into pieces Wash with cold water first and then boil before usage… Continue reading Pork Bones (Fresh)
Beef Brisket
Ingredient Name: Beef Brisket Traditional Chinese Name: What is this? Part of the beef that is from the breast or lower chest It is a very versitile meat and is used in various methods of cooking How do I prepare it? To prepare, wash first before cooking or marinating You may need to cut up into pieces… Continue reading Beef Brisket
Shark Bones or Cartilage (Dried)
Ingredient Name: Shark Bones or Cartilage (Dried) Traditional Chinese Name: 魚翅 (yú qí) What is this? The shark fin is usually the cartilaginous pectoral and dorsal fins of a shark Shark’s bone is sold either as dried or frozen Shark’s fin soup (which is more transparent) is eaten as a delicacy in the Chinese culture… Continue reading Shark Bones or Cartilage (Dried)
Tangerine Peels (Dried)
Ingredient Name: Dried Tangerine Peels Traditional Chinese Name: 陳皮 (chen pí) What is this? The aged and/or dried skin of tangerines or mandarin oranges They come in a variety of colours and sizes depending on the original peel In its raw form, it is relatively pungent and bitter in taste A small amount (a piece with a radius… Continue reading Tangerine Peels (Dried)