The beef and chicken in Chinese restaurants come from various sources. Some sources are local, and some are imported. Some restaurants even blend local and imported meats. This makes for an exciting variety of beef and chicken dishes. However, checking the label to see whether the roots are beef or chicken is essential. You can also ask the waiter about the meats. Moreover, the Chinese menus have descriptions of the various types of meats.
Flanked steak
You can make a beef and chicken roulade at home. Alternatively, you can purchase a flank steak and prepare it yourself. The meat can be sliced against the grain into four or five portions, depending on its thickness. Soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil marinate the meat. Beef broth and chow mein noodles are then added to the pan.
The flank steak is available in three varieties: boneless, unboned, and boneless. It can be sliced thinly for sandwiches or braised to enhance the flavor. It can also be used in Asian curries or Mexican fajitas. Despite its less familiar name, flank steak can add a new dimension to dishes.
Although there are rumors that Chinese restaurants are serving rat meat, they are entirely untrue. Chinese restaurants use a variety of cuts of chicken. Chicken breasts and chicken thighs are common choices. While it is not uncommon to find a chicken dish in a Chinese restaurant, the chicken used in this dish is not the same as in other kinds of cuisine.
Chinese restaurants use a variety of techniques to prepare meat. Some of these include velveting (soaking the heart in an egg-white and cornstarch mixture for 20 minutes before cooking it). While many Chinese dishes use flank steak, it is best to order one if you are not a fan of spicy dishes.
Orange beef
The flavors in Orange Beef are perfectly balanced and can be prepared at home for a fraction of the cost of takeout. It can be served over steamed rice or a favorite grain and goes well with vegetables. You can make your sauce with ginger and cornstarch. You can even use fresh ginger and grate it right into the bowl!
To make orange beef at home, you first need a thick skillet or deep fryer. Start by heating a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a pan. Next, sprinkle the beef with cornstarch and spread it out on the pan. After 30 minutes, remove it and place it on a plate or a cutting board. Meanwhile, peel the orange peel using a vegetable peeler, removing the pithy white part. Slice the orange half into long strips and juice it until you get about 1/4 cup of juice. Add the remaining soy sauce, molasses, rice vinegar, and sesame oil to the beef and stir until the meat is evenly cooked and the sauce is reduced by half.
The sauce should be reduced and thickened slightly. When serving, garnish the beef with orange zest, sliced green onions, and sesame seeds. You can also do the orange meat with white rice and steamed vegetables. Once you’ve mastered the art of making this dish at home, you can serve it to your family and friends.
You’ll be amazed by the flavor and texture of orange beef. It’s easy to make and tastes great. If you don’t have a wok, you can use cornstarch to coat the meat before cooking. Then, add the orange flavor to the beef with a thick sauce or marinade. Orange zest is also used as a garnish, which releases its essential oils when heated.
General Tso’s chicken
You can order General Tso’s chicken in dozens of Chinese restaurants around the country. It is an American favorite and one of the most popular dishes of Chinese origin. It is fried chicken smothered in a sweet, tangy, and salty sauce. It is served hot and is a popular appetizer at Chinese restaurants.
General Tso’s chicken has a slightly sweet, sour, and acidic flavor. It is usually prepared with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and chicken stock. In addition, the dish is served with sesame seeds and green scallions.
General Tso, or Zuo Zongtang in Chinese, was an important general during the Qing Dynasty. He was born in the Hunan province and eventually became the Provincial Governor of Zhejiang. He was an ambitious general and loved chicken. The chicken was named after him after he died in 1885. Peng Chang-Kuei, a Hunanese chef, created the dish. Peng wanted to showcase a Hunanese specialty in his restaurant and named it after General Tso. The chicken became an instant hit among Americans and the epitome of Hunanese cuisine outside mainland China.
The recipe for General Tso’s chicken was created by Peng Chang-Kuei, an accomplished chef who served as a chef for the Nationalist government in the early part of the Chinese Civil War. Peng fled to Taiwan with the Nationalist Army after the war and began cooking for government officials in Taiwan. He created a recipe unique for the Hunanese General Tso. The dish is almost unimaginable without him.
Peng’s chicken became famous during the Chinese civil war when he was the chef to the acting president of China. It became so popular that Peng brought the recipe to the United States, where it was met with great success. Peng’s chicken has inspired chefs worldwide, from Taiwan to China. Peng’s chicken is now served in Asian-inspired po’boys with fancy sweetbreads.
Velveted chicken
The velveting process is critical for achieving moist and tender meat and is an integral part of Chinese cooking. This method involves pre-cooking beef and seafood in boiling water before adding it to a stir-fry with other ingredients. Velveting is also a healthy way to prepare meat for stir-frying, as its two main ingredients are cornstarch and oil.
The first step in velveting chicken is to marinate it for a half-hour before it’s cooked. Then, a cornstarch coating is applied to the meat, forming a barrier against the heat. This seals in the moisture and tenderness of the heart, making it more flavorful.
Once the chicken has been velveted, it’s ready to serve. This dish is traditionally prepared as a stir-fry and is often served with vegetables. However, you can also use velveted chicken, in other words, such as a weekday pasta dish. It’s a great alternative to the traditional Chinese dish and can be used for a low-carb diet.
The second step in velveting chicken is to marinate the chicken in a marinade of egg whites, white vinegar, salt, and cornstarch. It would help if you did this a day or two in advance. Then, you can store the chicken in a freezer bag for up to two months. If you plan to serve it later, thaw it in the fridge overnight.
Velveting beef is also a simple process and doesn’t take long. It involves cutting the meat against the grain, soaking it in bicarb, and washing it thoroughly before cooking it. This preparation is also adequate for beef stir-fries, making the meat more tender and tasty. Once it’s ready, the steak or chicken should be marinated for at least 30 minutes.
Moo shu pork
Moo shu pork is traditionally made with sliced pork tenderloin, cucumber, scrambled eggs, and wood ear mushrooms. Modern Chinese cooking, it can also be made with chicken or shrimp. Both options are healthy alternatives to moo shu pork. In addition to removing the pork, vegetarians can substitute diced tofu or mushrooms in the dish. You can add crushed red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the plate to make it spicy.
Moo shu pork is one of the most popular Chinese takeout dishes, but you can make it at home in less than 30 minutes. To make the dish:
- Start by heating a wok over high heat.
- Add two tablespoons of oil and cook until it begins to smoke.
- Once the oil is hot, add the pork, scallions, and cucumbers.
- Stir-fry these ingredients for a few minutes to cook.
- Add the eggs and stir-fry them until they are almost done.
Chinese restaurants typically serve moo shu pork with vegetables. A boneless chicken breast can be substituted for pork tenderloin. The meat should be thinly sliced. Then, the mixture can be served with rice, tortillas, and vegetables like steamed broccoli or sesame ginger snap peas. You can serve moo shu with hoisin sauce and cilantro for garnish.
Moo shu chicken is another traditional Chinese dish. Although chicken is used in most restaurants, you can also get moo shu chicken from a Chinese restaurant if you prefer beef. Moo shu chicken is also a healthy option for dinner and a quick meal. The recipe is easy to prepare and can be enjoyed at home.
