Ingredient Name: Star Anise Traditional Chinese Name: 八角 (bā jiǎo) What is this? Star anise is a star-shaped spice commonly used in Asian cooking Also known as illicium verum, it is a star shaped fruit from an evergreen tree that is native to China and harvested from March to May It is very popular and… Continue reading Star Anise
Pork Bones and Lotus Root with Chestnuts Soup
Soup Name: Pork Bones and Arrowroot Soup Traditional Chinese Name: 蓮藕栗子湯 (lián ou lì zi tāng) Introduction: This savory soup is sweet in taste and healthy to eat. It’s rich in vitamins and fiber and is neutral for your body. Caution may need to be taken with chestnuts as it can potentially be allergenic, although… Continue reading Pork Bones and Lotus Root with Chestnuts Soup
Chestnuts
Ingredient Name: Chestnuts Traditional Chinese Name: 栗子 (lì zi) What is this? The chestnut is the fruit produce of the chestnut tree The chestnut is actually the combined flowers which ultimately grow completely together to make the brown husk that covers the fruit The raw fruit actually contains burrs and each burr can contain… Continue reading Chestnuts
Stewed Beef Soup
Soup Name: Stewed Beef Soup (Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup base) Traditional Chinese Name: 牛肉面 (niu rou mian) Introduction: This stewed beef is a variation of the famous Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup. It is a very rich meat broth that can serve as a meal in itself when eaten together with hand-pulled noodles and boiled vegetables. … Continue reading Stewed Beef Soup
Corn
Ingredient Name: Corn or Maize Traditional Chinese Name: 玉米 (yù mǐ) What is this? Corn is the produce (ears) of a maize plant which resemble bamboo canes There are varying types, species and preservation of corn in different cultures and traditions around the world The maize is harvested when the maize is mature, but… Continue reading Corn
Chicken Watercress Soup
Soup Name: Chicken Watercress Soup Traditional Chinese Name: 西洋菜雞湯 (xī yáng cài ji tāng) Introduction: Watercress is a very popular ingredient for Chinese soups. Typically, watercress soup is made with pork bones (see recipe here). However, for those who cannot eat pork or dislike the taste of bone marrow, it is equally… Continue reading Chicken Watercress Soup
Tomato
Ingredient Name: Tomato Traditional Chinese Name: 番茄 (fān qié) What is this? The fruit of the tomato plant The most common types of tomatoes are usually orange to red in colour and are often found to be in varying shapes of oval They grow on the vined tomato plant, which can grow from 1-3 metres… Continue reading Tomato
Soup Bag
Equipment Name: Soup Bag What is this? This is a mesh polyester bag that is used for boiling soups It is usually no bigger than a piece of A4 paper in area The contents to put inside usually disintegrate in the soup and therefore the bag keeps it together (like fish) It is an… Continue reading Soup Bag
Pork Bones and Arrowroot Soup
Soup Name: Pork Bones and Arrowroot Soup Traditional Chinese Name: 粉葛湯 ( fěn gé tāng) Introduction: This is the simple arrowroot soup. This soup is high in protein and fiber. It is a very neutral soup and requires little effort to make it. Some people really love to eat the arrowroot once its been boiled in… Continue reading Pork Bones and Arrowroot Soup
Arrowroot
Ingredient Name: Arrowroot or Obedience Plant Traditional Chinese Name: 粉葛 (fěn gé) What is this? Arrowroot is the edible starch from the rhizomes (rootstock) of West Indian arrowroot It is often ground down to a powdered starch form which is completely white and powdery in form The powder itself is used as a thickener, in cakes,… Continue reading Arrowroot