An Introduction to Szechuan Cooking

As the largest single province in China, majestic mountains and breathtaking gorges by the Yangtse River surround Szechuan. The climate of the region produces great variety in food because crops are able to prosper on a year-round basis. An abundance of fruit and vegetables add to the variety in Szechuan dishes, including edible mushrooms. Spices are also well known about the province, as chefs draw upon the regional chilies and well-known Szechuan peppercorns.

When you are in the mood for a meal that is hot, full of spice, and with strong flavor – Szechuan cuisine comes highly recommended. Many dishes utilize chilies, where large amounts (often unseeded) uplift the flavor of vegetables like onions, spring onions, and garlic. There are recipes that also call for the use of nutty ingredients, such as peanuts, cashews, walnuts, sesame seeds, and pine nuts, which are often called upon to coat meat that is deep-fried or stir-fried. Sesame paste is also a main ingredient in the sauces that dress main entrees.

When compared to the south, beef is more common of a meat selection in Szechaun cooking. Beef stir-fries are often chewy. Steamed meat is also popular, where the meat is first coated with ground rice and supported by richly thick gravy. As you encounter recipes native to the deep south west (Yunnan), ham becomes a common ingredient.

To prepare the Szechuan way of cooking for your dinner table, try considering the following recipe suggestions:

Szechuan Hot-Fried Crispy Shredded Beef

After cutting the topside of beef into "matchstick" sticks, you will combine with eggs, salt, vegetable oil, corn flour, carrots, spring onions, shredded chillis, crushed garlic cloves, soy sauce, sugar, and wine vinegar.

Fried Fish in Hot Five Willow Sauce

This intriguing Szechuan entrée name is made with winter pickle, chicken stock, dry sherry, soy sauce, shredded bacon, seeded chillis, seeded red and green peppers, spring onions, lard, shredded ginger root, and carp (or pike or perch).

Szechuan Bang-Bang Chicken

If you like chicken, then you may want to try out this dish, which utilizes cucumber and a sauce made with peanut butter, sesame oil, sugar, salt, chicken stock, and red chilli oil.

Deep-Fried Aubergine Cake

While you may think this is a cake served for dessert, this recipe consists of minced pork, dried shrimps, finely chopped spring onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, shredded root ginger, corn flour, plain flour, beaten egg, and vegetable oil. The main ingredient of this meal is aubergines, which is a type of eggplant that is closely associated with the tomato and potato.

Additional appetizers and entrees to experience the Szechuan way of cooking includes Bean Curd and Prawn Soup; Cold Mixed Kidneys; Szechuan Prawns; Chicken with Cold-Tossed Bean Sprouts; and Oxtail Noodles with Parsley, Coriander and Spring Onion.