Soy Rice Fire, inspirations from classic Chinese recipes and techniques - Part 10

In Shanghai and its surrounding region, steaming whole fish with ham, bamboo shoots, and shiitake mushrooms creates an exquisite dish fit for a banquet.

Fish and shelfish• [Steaming]

Shanghai-style steamed fish with ham, bamboo shoots, and shiitake mushrooms

When you cook broccolini to a point that it begins to char and caramelize, you get more concentrated flavor and bring out its natural sweetness and nuttiness.

Vegetables• [Stir-frying]

Wok-charred broccolini with garlic and walnuts

This Fujianese chicken dish with shacha sauce (沙茶酱), also known as sacha sauce, is umami-rich and intensely aromatic.

Poultry and eggs• [Simmering]

Braised chicken in shacha sauce (沙茶鸡), Fujian style

Aromatic and nutritious, this millet porridge makes a perfect light dinner when paired with stir-fried vegetables.

Rice, noodles, and grains• [Simmering]

Millet porridge with butternut squash

In this Chinese rendition of Galician octopus with potatoes, Chinese five-spice powder is used instead of paprika, providing a complex sweet-savory aroma to the boiled octopus and potato.

Fish and shelfish• [Boiling/Poaching]• [Stir-frying]

Octopus and potatoes with Chinese five-spice powder

In this refreshing salad, home-made Chinese mustard dressing gives a nice kick to the watermelon radishes cucumbers.

Cold dishes and salads• [Pickling/Raw]

Watermelon radish and cucumber salad with Chinese mustard dressing

There are many exciting ways to cook mussels, beyond the familiar French-style steamed mussels. Here, mussels, Chinese sausage, rice noodles, and tomatoes create a simple and exciting one-dish meal.

Fish and shelfish• Rice, noodles, and grains• [Boiling/Poaching]• [Stir-frying]

Mussels with Chinese sausage and rice noodles

Rich in umami flavor, mildly salty, and subtly sweet, kelp (aks kombu) is great on its own or used as a flavor enhancer. This refreshing kelp salad with garlic oil and sesame seeds is great in warm weather.

Cold dishes and salads• [Simmering]

Kelp salad with garlic oil and sesame seeds