Chinese cuisine is widely known not only for its unique approach to food preparation, but also for its sauces. The geographical location of most settlements significantly limited the diet, so many Chinese people restricted themselves to eating noodles and rice. The use of sauces allowed them to diversify their meals. Traditional Chinese sauce is more of a dressing or gravy, or even a sauce for dishes, and that’s not all that makes it special.
The subtleties of preparing Asian sauce
Traditional Chinese sauce is distinguished by its harmonious combination of flavors. Most often, it is a unique combination of sweet and sour, sometimes with a spicy aftertaste. In any case, the sauce will stand out with its spicy taste and bright aroma, whose piquant notes you will remember for a long time.
Most sauces in Chinese cuisine are prepared without heat treatment or with minimal heat treatment. Chinese chefs believe that this is the only way to achieve the perfect balance and reveal the full flavor. Simply mix the ingredients in one container and stir them. You don’t have to simmer anything for hours, stir it, or stew it. In some cases, you can use a blender, but you will hardly need it, as most Chinese people are conservative and do not use them.
The sauce can be served with any dish — meat, fish, noodles, seafood. Any salads, soups, appetizers — the list is limited only by your imagination.
List of traditional Chinese cuisine dressings
The most famous sauce worldwide is called Hoisin, which is added to almost all recipes, especially those containing a small amount of meat or wild mushrooms. It is the main ingredient in Peking duck. It has a slightly garlicky and even spicy, delicate and pleasant taste. The sauce is based on fermented beans with spices and seasonings, and cornstarch and sesame seeds are essential ingredients. It is Hoisin that gives dishes that distinctive Asian flavor.
If you are a fan of traditional Sichuan cuisine, you should pay attention to Tobadziang sauce — the perfect addition to meat, rolls, tofu, dumplings, and noodles. It can also be used as a marinade or salad dressing. It has a sharp and rich flavor, which is achieved by mixing various hot peppers, especially Sichuan flower pepper.
Spear Rib is no less popular. The sauce has a sweet and sour, rich flavor with spicy notes. It is used to make marinades for ribs and beef. It consists of a paste made from fermented beans, tomato paste, sesame paste, spices, and a small amount of caramel.
Those who enjoy ginger flavor should pay attention to Chu Hou, which stands out with its interesting sweet and salty taste. It also contains soy curd, caramel, chili, and a variety of spices. Chu Hou has a thick consistency and is widely used for frying and stewing vegetables, mushrooms, meat, fish, and game. The result is an appetizing and aromatic dish.
