Today' Chinese Lunch

[nickinwarwick]

I was lucky enough to go to China with work a few years ago and I remember that the food was fantastic, as you say it's far better than chinese takeaway in the UK. The closest thing I've had since then is from a Chinese restaurant in Cowley, Oxford. Went past before going to a gig at the O2 Academy and saw that it was full of Chinese customers, so we figured it must be good and went in. Not disappointed, it was gorgeous.

 

[declan88]

Here's a nice Sichuan recipe for mala tofu.

If you don't tofu, use mushrooms.

400g firm tofu,boiled 1 min, drai , cut to 1inch dice, leave on sloped chopping board to dry
50g mince beef
60ml oil
50g Guangdong spicy doubanjiang (soy/ broadbean fermented paste)
7g black bean paste
200ml chicken stock
5g szechaun pepper powder
2 spring onions
15g garlic

Bring rice to boil and simmer.
Time 10 mins.

Fry meat low 2mins, set aside
Chop doubanjuang+, bean (dB) paste (optional tspn garlic) dried chillies.
Med heat, oil, fry dB paste and spices if using 3 mins.
Add tofu and 300ml chicken stock.
Bring to boil and simmer 5'
Add spr onions. Stir once.
Serve with sprinkle of Szechuan pot on top.
And rice on side.
Can use cauliflower rice instead for low carb.

 

[Vince_UK]

I was lucky enough to go to China with work a few years ago and I remember that the food was fantastic, as you say it's far better than chinese takeaway in the UK. The closest thing I've had since then is from a Chinese restaurant in Cowley, Oxford. Went past before going to a gig at the O2 Academy and saw that it was full of Chinese customers, so we figured it must be good and went in. Not disappointed, it was gorgeous.

I have spent most of the past 15 years in and travelling to China and Asia in general, Lived in Shanghai 2010-2013. cannot get enough of authentic Chinese especailly from Sichuan. If the locals eat at a certain place you can guarentee 1, the food is good, 2, it is inexpensive. In Newcastle I found a similar small place on the edge of our Chinatown which serves authentic Chinese but most of the Geordies avoid it. It is always full of Chinese students so I took my cue from that. Food excellent, especially the noodles which unfortunately are now on my NO NO list.

 

[Vince_UK]

Here's a nice Sichuan recipe for mala tofu.

If you don't tofu, use mushrooms.

400g firm tofu,boiled 1 min, drai , cut to 1inch dice, leave on sloped chopping board to dry
50g mince beef
60ml oil
50g Guangdong spicy doubanjiang (soy/ broadbean fermented paste)
7g black bean paste
200ml chicken stock
5g szechaun pepper powder
2 spring onions
15g garlic

Bring rice to boil and simmer.
Time 10 mins.

Fry meat low 2mins, set aside
Chop doubanjuang+, bean (dB) paste (optional tspn garlic) dried chillies.
Med heat, oil, fry dB paste and spices if using 3 mins.
Add tofu and 300ml chicken stock.
Bring to boil and simmer 5'
Add spr onions. Stir once.
Serve with sprinkle of Szechuan pot on top.
And rice on side.
Can use cauliflower rice instead for low carb.

I eat tofu no problems and that is am authentic recipe, just shown it to a Chinese friend of mine who is from Chengdu. Will try get someone to do that for me while I am here.🙂

 

[Bubbsie]

I was lucky enough to go to China with work a few years ago and I remember that the food was fantastic, as you say it's far better than chinese takeaway in the UK. The closest thing I've had since then is from a Chinese restaurant in Cowley, Oxford. Went past before going to a gig at the O2 Academy and saw that it was full of Chinese customers, so we figured it must be good and went in. Not disappointed, it was gorgeous.

Do the same when in London Nick...love Drummond Street (near Euston Station) for Indian food...restaurants always full of the local Asian community...great food...so convenient...that's one of the things I miss so much since we moved out of London.