Ancient Chinese Food: Recipes for KidsSumptuous rice and delicious noodles are best representations of Chinese cuisine. Ancient Chinese food was all about this and traditions such as the use of chopsticks while having food. This tradition is continued even today. Ancient Chinese food has been classified into 4 schools since the olden days. These are known as Lu, Chuan, Yue and Yang. Certain ancient Chinese food also has a particular symbolism linked to it. In Northern China, Chinese Dumplings (Jiaozi) is a main food item prepared during the holiday season. Today, the food palate cannot be complete without Chinese fried rice either! Ancient Chinese food is thus quite interesting and very delectable although today one may see many variations of the same. Here, we shall look at some basic ancient Chinese food recipes for kids, which are crafted to make them a little easier to prepare at home. Kids can have a fun time with their moms dishing out these recipes at home!
Ancient Chinese Food: Recipes for KidsKids would need assistance and guidance from their mommies to prepare the following recipes. With practice, kids are bound to master the same!
Chinese Fried Rice:IngredientsOnion - diced (1)
Salt and pepper
Plain vegetable oil (1/3 cup)
Garlic - finely chopped (3 cloves)
Frozen corn peas, carrots (1 1/3 cups - 6 ounces)
Large eggs - lightly beaten (4)
Fresh ginger - peeled and finely chopped (2-inch piece)
Whole scallions - thinly sliced – separate the white and green area (3)
Ham – diced (1/3 pound or cooked, cubed or shredded meat (2 cups)
Cold cooked long-grain rice - white rice; separate the grains (4 cups)
PreparationFirst you need to heat a skillet over high heat. Once hot, you need to add around 1 tablespoon of oil to it. Now, place the ham in the skillet and cook it with some occasional stirring. Now, add the onions to this pan. Also add some salt and pepper for taste. Cook this preparation for at least 2 minutes. Once cooked, add the ginger, garlic and the white portions of the scallions. Stir-fry this preparation for about ½ a minute. Now, add the frozen vegetables to this preparation. Once the vegetables defrost and turn a little crispy, you need to transfer the ingredients into a large bowl.
Place the pan once again on the heat and this time; add around 2 tablespoons of oil. Now, add the eggs and use some salt and pepper as seasoning. Then, keep stirring this preparation and once it sets, place it in a bowl. Use a spatula to break the egg preparation.
Once again, place the pan on the heat and add the remaining amount of oil. Also add rice to this pan. Sprinkle this with some salt and pepper. Stir fry the rice and ensure the oil covers it evenly. Then, let the rice remain undisturbed and cook the same till it turns a little crispy after 2 minutes. Stir once again to ensure the rice is cooked evenly. Now, you need to add the scallion greens to the rice. Transfer this rice preparation to the bowl and blend well with other ingredients. Sprinkle with some salt and pepper if required. Serve the delicious Chinese fried rice hot!
Chinese Corn Soup:IngredientsEgg – beaten (1)
Cornstarch (1 tablespoon)
Water (2 tablespoons)
Cream style corn (1 can - 15 ounce)
Low-sodium chicken broth (1 can - 14.5 ounce)
PreparationTake a saucepan and add the cream style corn along with the chicken broth to the pan. Boil the ingredients over medium high heat. Take a small sized bowl and add the cornstarch with the water. Now, pour this preparation into the boiling corn soup. Cook the preparation for about 2 minutes and let it thicken. Now, add the beaten eggs while you stir the soup. Once done, remove it from heat and serve hot!
Spring Roll Recipe:IngredientsBarbequed pork (1/4 pound)
Dried black mushrooms (3)
Medium carrot (1/2)
Dark soy sauce (2 teaspoons)
Oyster sauce (2 teaspoons)
Sesame oil
Chicken broth (2 tablespoons)
Granulated sugar (1/2 teaspoon)
Lightly beaten egg (1)
Oil for deep-frying (3 cups)
Oil for stir-frying (2 tablespoons)
Spring roll wrappers (12)
Chopped red bell pepper (2 tablespoons)
Mung/Mash/Green Soy bean sprouts (1/2 cup)
PreparationBegin this recipe by cutting the barbequed pork into thin strips. Meanwhile, soak the dried mushrooms in hot water for half an hour. Squeeze out the excess amount of water and chop the mushrooms finely. Then, rinse and drain mung bean sprouts. Peel carrots and shred it till you have ¼ cup of carrot.
Meanwhile, take a small bowl and combine dark soy sauce with oyster sauce and chicken broth along with some sugar and the sesame oil. Once it blends well, set it aside.
Place a wok over medium to high heat and add around 2 tablespoons of oil to this. Add the barbequed pork whilst the oil is hot and stir-fry for a minute. Now, add the vegetables and stir-fry for yet another minute and nudge it gently to the side of the wok. Add some amount of sauce in the middle. Now, add the vegetables along with the pork. Once added, remove the wok from the heat and let the ingredients cool down.
Meanwhile, you need to preheat the oil for deep-frying for the preparation of spring rolls. Place a spring roll wrapper before you and turn it into a diamond shape. Wet the edges of the wrapper with the beaten egg mixture. Now, place around 2 tablespoons of the filling towards the bottom area. Roll this over and tuck the sides and continue rolling the wrapper. Secure the top with a tight fold. Now, deep-fry the spring rolls in batches till they turn crispy for at least 3 minutes. Drain the same on paper towels.
By
Kashmira Lad
