Soy Rice Fire, inspirations from classic Chinese recipes and techniques - Part 19

Inspired by dishes from Northern Chinese, this dish uses bao stir-frying technique, which requires higher heat, hotter oil, and quicker stirring and tossing than regular stir-frying, to keep the clams tender and juicy.

Fish and shelfish• [Stir-frying]

Stir-fried razor clams with cilantro

With their signature red hue and lovely salty-sweet taste, Wuxi spare ribs are among the tastiest ribs in Chinese cuisine.

Meat• [Simmering]

Wuxi spare ribs (无锡排骨)

The yolk of salted duck egg is highly prized in Chinese cooking. Here, the pan-seared king oyster mushrooms, with their meaty texture, earthy aroma, and rich flavors, become truly sensational when coated with the glossy, fragrant salted yolks.

Cold dishes and salads• Poultry and eggs• [Pan-frying]

Pan-seared king oyster mushrooms with salted duck egg yolks

Fresh green soybeans taste wonderfully sweet and tender, with a lovely snap when you bit into them. A quick stir-fry with chicken and tomatoes creates a bright and clean dish with savory (umami), sweet, and sour flavors.

Soybeans and tofu• Vegetables• [Stir-frying]

Stir-fried green soybeans with heirloom tomatoes and chicken

Steaming is one of the best ways to cook delicate and lean fish such as halibut, sea bass, and hake. Here, halibut marinated with Shaoxing wine and grated ginger is wrapped and steamed in savoy cabbage leaves.

Fish and shelfish• [Steaming]

Steamed halibut in savoy cabbage with ginger-scallion oil

Making a dish with a fun name like this is alawys intriguing. It also tastes great with the ground pork (the ants) and mung bean noodles (the twigs of a tree).

Meat• Rice, noodles, and grains• [Stir-frying]

Ants climbing a tree (ma yi shang shu 蚂蚁上树)

This is a popular home-style dish from Dongbei (东北), the Northeastern region of China. Smashing the cucumbers makes it easier for them to absorb salad dressing and creates a more interesting and varied texture.

Cold dishes and salads• Vegetables• [Pickling/Raw]

Smashed cucumber salad (拍黄瓜)

Once you know how to balance the tastes when cooking with bitter melon, you’ll find that it can be very refreshing, as in this dish where it's stuffed and steamed with ground meat.

Meat• [Steaming]

Stuffed bitter melon with ground pork, beef, and veal