Where Colorful Flavors Collide

China is the fourth largest country in the world after Russia, Canada, and the United States. The amazing thing is that more than 1.28 billion people live there, almost three times as many in Russia, Canada, and the United States combined!

Food is a very important part of the Chinese culture. In this large country, there are eight regional variations of Chinese cuisine- Shandong , Sichuan ( Szechuan ), Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hunan, and Anhui. Some of these, such as Szechuan, characterized by spicy, pungent flavors and use of chilies, are popular in other parts of the world as well, including here in the United States. Many of the regional variations rely heavily on seafood, especially Fujian and Jiangsu.

Despite the differences between these regions, there are many similarities. The use of a handful of special seasonings is common to most regions. Here are some of the most commonly used flavorings in Chinese cuisine:

• Soya Sauce (Soy Sauce): A dark, salty liquid used in many dishes. The two main types are light soy sauce and dark soy sauce.
• Oyster Sauce: A common sauce made from oysters, that is milder, sweeter, and thicker than soy sauce.
• Sesame Oil: Very aromatic oil often used for frying.
• Ginger Root: The light-brown root of a ginger plant, adds spiciness to a dish.
• Five Spice Powder: A mixture of star anise, cinnamon, coriander, cloves, and fennel seeds.
• Rice Wine: Often used in sauces mixed with Soya sauce or sesame oil.
• Chilies: Especially popular in Sichuan cooking.

Cooking Chinese cuisine often also involves the use of unique cooking utensils. One very important piece is the wok. A wok is a thin-walled, round-bottomed, cast-iron pot used for stir-frying and deep-frying, among other things. Its unique shape makes it ideal for making many delicious Chinese dishes. Chopsticks, invented almost 4,000 years ago and still used today, are also a signature utensil for this cuisine. They were created as a non-violent way of eating, with no cutting or stabbing as you would with knives and forks. Chopsticks are the second most popular way of bringing food to your mouth in China , the first being fingers.

So grab your chopsticks, and try some of these delicious recipes! Don't forget to ask an adult for help!

• Stir-Fried Garden Vegetable with Marinated Tofu
• Dim Sum
• Potstickers
• Fried Rice

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