Introduction: This Sichuan-style salad gets its name from the technique of smacking cucumbers with the flat of a knife or rolling pin, which cracks the flesh to better absorb the garlicky, vinegar-forward dressing, making it a refreshing starter across northern and western China. Cultural Background: This Sichuan-style salad gets its name from the technique of […]
Introduction: Bang Bang Chicken takes its name from the traditional method of pounding poached chicken with a small wooden bat (bang bang) to tenderise and shred it before dressing, a Sichuan classic balancing nutty sesame sauce with numbing chilli oil. Cultural Background: Bang Bang Chicken takes its name from the traditional method of pounding poached […]
Introduction: Chuan'r are cumin-and-chilli-dusted grilled lamb skewers with roots in Xinjiang's Uyghur culinary tradition, now sold from smoky street carts across Chinese cities, especially popular as a late-night snack alongside cold beer. Cultural Background: Chuan'r are cumin-and-chilli-dusted grilled lamb skewers with roots in Xinjiang's Uyghur culinary tradition, now sold from smoky street carts across Chinese […]
Introduction: Jianbing is a savoury, crisp-edged crepe cooked to order on street carts across northern China, layered with egg, crunchy fried cracker and a smear of savoury sauces, folded up as a fast, satisfying breakfast on the go. Cultural Background: Jianbing is a savoury, crisp-edged crepe cooked to order on street carts across northern China, […]
Introduction: Mapo Tofu is a fiery, numbing Sichuan classic said to have originated with a pockmarked (ma) grandmother (po) who ran a small restaurant in Chengdu, combining silken tofu, minced beef and a fermented chilli bean paste for one of Sichuan's most iconic dishes. Cultural Background: Mapo Tofu is a fiery, numbing Sichuan classic said […]
Introduction: Kung Pao Chicken originates from Sichuan and is named after a Qing dynasty official's title (Gong Bao), combining diced chicken, roasted peanuts and dried chillies in a sweet-savoury-spicy sauce that has become one of China's most globally recognised dishes. Cultural Background: Kung Pao Chicken originates from Sichuan and is named after a Qing dynasty […]
Introduction: Pebre is the essential Chilean table condiment, a fresh chopped salsa of tomato, onion, chili and coriander that accompanies almost every meal, from empanadas to grilled meats, and varies slightly from household to household. Cultural Background: Pebre is the essential Chilean table condiment, a fresh chopped salsa of tomato, onion, chili and coriander that […]
Introduction: Chilean ceviche differs from its Peruvian neighbor by using finely diced (rather than sliced) white fish, less citrus liquid, and coriander and chili to taste, reflecting the abundant cold-water fish along Chile's long Pacific coastline. Cultural Background: Chilean ceviche differs from its Peruvian neighbor by using finely diced (rather than sliced) white fish, less […]
Introduction: This peanut sauce over rice reflects the Sahel's deep reliance on groundnuts, grown widely across southern Chad. Cultural Background: This peanut sauce over rice reflects the Sahel's deep reliance on groundnuts, grown widely across southern Chad. Rich, nutty and satisfying, it is a common midday meal in both city households and roadside eateries, often […]
Introduction: A lighter, brothy cousin to the thicker okra sauce served with boule, this soup version is common in the rainy season when fresh okra is abundant across southern Chad. Cultural Background: A lighter, brothy cousin to the thicker okra sauce served with boule, this soup version is common in the rainy season when fresh […]