What do people eat in China?

Food Origins

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by Mya Kagan (whyzz writer) >> more about the author

---- Don't miss famous Chef Emeril Lagasse's recipe for Egg Drop Soup from his cookbook There's A Chef In My World! Scroll down! ----

As with most places, the answer to what people eat in China has a lot to do with the history of the country, their geography, and the needs and likes of the people who live there!

Chinese cuisine is often discussed in terms of region. While some areas like the Canton province are often known for eating lots of rice, noodles tend to be more popular in the north, where growing rice is difficult because of the climate. Other regions, like the Sichuan and Hunan provinces, are known for their use of spicy peppers.

Many Chinese dishes consist of noodles or rice prepared with vegetables, tofu, or meat, which is usually pork or chicken. Some Chinese dishes that you might have tried include Peking Duck, spicy Kung Pao Chicken, and dumplings filled with pork, chicken, or vegetables! Soup (like Wanton Soup or Egg Drop Soup) is also a regular part of most Chinese meals, and tea is a common drink. Frequently used ingredients include bean curd and soy sauce (both made from soy beans), Five Spice Powder (a combination of cloves, cinnamon, star anise, fennel seeds, and Sichuan peppercorns), and bamboo shoots!

Meals in China are often prepared in bite-sized pieces, a practice developed to help cook foods faster in order to save fuel. With no knives needed at the table, most foods are eaten with chopsticks!

While the above foods represent some of the traditional, historical, and common foods of China, the food practices of cultures around the world are constantly changing as people change, modernize, and learn about each other’s customs. Aside from the foods listed here, there are many other foods, both traditional and otherwise, which are eaten by people in China!

EGG DROP SOUP from Chef Emeril Lagasse's cookbook There's A Chef In My World!

This soup is based on the Chinese version, but the Italians have one too! This may be one of the easiest soups to make, but just because it’s quick doesn’t mean it’s not packed with flavor. The best part is that you can get creative with the vegetables that you add, such as snow peas or Chinese baby corn. When I am not feeling well, this is the perfect soup to make me feel better.

DID YOU KNOW…

In an authentic Chinese meal, it is said that soup is often served as the last course because it allows the roast duck entrée to “swim” toward digestion.

YIELD: 4 to 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

6-8 large spinach leaves

½ cup green onions (about 4 small), sliced diagonally

4 shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, wiped clean, and thinly sliced

1 teaspoon soy sauce

Pinch of ground white pepper

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

TOOLS

Measuring cups and spoons ● can opener (optional) ● cutting board ● chef’s knife ●medium saucepan or stockpot ●fork or chopsticks ● ladle ● oven mitts or pot holders

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium saucepan or stockpot, bring the chicken broth to a simmer.

2. Stack the spinach leaves on top of each other and roll them up tightly. Thinly slice into ribbonlike strips.

3. Add the spinach, 6 tablespoons of sliced green onion, the mushrooms, soy sauce, and white pepper to the broth.

4. When the broth begins to simmer again, gradually add the beaten eggs in a slow and steady stream. Use a fork or a chopstick to stir the broth- this will shred the eggs into ribbons as they cook.

5. Cook the soup for 1 minute more and remove from the heat.

6. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with remaining 2 tablespoons of sliced green onion. Serve hot.

Emeril Lagasse is a master chef and owner of several of the country's most talked-about restaurants in New Orleans and Las Vegas. He hosts popular TV shows and has become one of the most recognizable chefs of all time!

http://www.emerils.com/

Don't miss other recipes by Chef Emeril Lagasse in the Related whyzz below!

Have you ever been out to eat at a Chinese restaurant? If so, what do you remember about the meal? In what ways was it similar to the other foods you eat, and in what ways was it different? Can you remember what you ate, and how you liked it??

Many larger cities have Chinatowns, where you can go to Chinese markets to shop for foods and imported groceries. Find out if there’s one near where you live, and ask the grown-ups in your family if you can visit!