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5 Simple Chinese Recipes for Beginners

5 Easy Chinese Recipes to Make at Home for Beginners

Chinese cuisine is renowned for its flavors, variety, and the skill required to make some of its most famous dishes. However, not all Chinese recipes are complex or time-consuming. Here are five easy Chinese recipes that even beginners can make at home. These dishes are not only simple to prepare but also require ingredients you can easily find at your local supermarket.

1. Egg Fried Rice

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of cooked rice (preferably cold, day-old rice works best)
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup of mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, and corn)
  • 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the beaten eggs and scramble until fully cooked. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
  2. In the same pan, add the remaining oil and sauté the mixed vegetables until they're tender.
  3. Add the rice, breaking any clumps. Stir-fry for a few minutes until the rice is heated through.
  4. Return the scrambled eggs to the pan. Add soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix well and serve hot.

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2. Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound of chicken breast, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups of broccoli florets
  • 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • For the sauce:
    • 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
    • 1 teaspoon of cornstarch
    • 1/2 cup of water

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and water. Set aside.
  2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and stir-fry for about 30 seconds.
  3. Add the chicken slices and stir-fry until they are nearly cooked through.
  4. Add the broccoli and cover the pan. Let it steam for about 3 minutes.
  5. Pour the sauce over the chicken and broccoli. Stir well until the sauce thickens.
  6. Serve hot with rice.

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3. Sweet and Sour Pork

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound of pork tenderloin, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup of cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
  • 1 bell pepper, cut into pieces
  • 1 onion, cut into wedges
  • For the sauce:
    • 1/3 cup of vinegar
    • 1/4 cup of ketchup
    • 1/2 cup of sugar
    • 1/4 cup of pineapple juice
    • 1 tablespoon of soy sauce

Instructions:

  1. Coat the pork pieces in cornstarch.
  2. Heat oil in a pan and fry the pork until it's golden brown. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same pan, sauté the bell pepper and onion until tender.
  4. For the sauce, mix all the ingredients in a bowl and pour it into the pan. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Add the pork back into the pan. Stir well until the pork is coated with the sauce.
  6. Serve hot with rice.

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4. Beef with Broccoli

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound of beef, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups of broccoli florets
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • For the marinade/sauce:
    • 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
    • 1 teaspoon of cornstarch
    • 1/2 cup of water
    • 1 teaspoon of sugar

Instructions:

  1. Marinate the beef slices in half of the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch for at least 15 minutes.
  2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef and stir-fry until it's nearly cooked. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same pan, add the broccoli with a splash of water. Cover and let it steam for about 3 minutes.
  4. Return the beef to the pan. Add the remaining soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, water, and sugar. Stir well until the sauce thickens.
  5. Serve hot with rice.

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5. Vegetable Spring Rolls

Ingredients:

  • Spring roll wrappers
  • 1 cup of shredded cabbage
  • 1/2 cup of shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup of thinly sliced bell peppers
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • Soy sauce and sweet chili sauce for dipping

Instructions:

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan. Add the vegetables and stir-fry until they're tender. Season with a little soy sauce.
  2. Place a spoonful of the vegetable mixture on each spring roll wrapper. Roll them up according to the package instructions.
  3. Heat the remaining oil in a pan. Fry the spring rolls until golden brown.
  4. Serve hot with soy sauce or sweet chili sauce for dipping.

These five recipes are a great starting point for anyone new to Chinese cooking. They demonstrate that with a few simple ingredients and techniques, you can create delicious meals that will impress your family and friends. Enjoy your cooking journey!