Cantonese style cuisine
"Cantonese recipes are a reflection of the diiverse and cosmopolitan Cantonese Cuisine.
Characterized by gentle spices, fresh ingredients and slow, careful preparation it may not seem to be the best choice for a restaurant. Yet, Cantonese retains its status as a favorite of millions. Originating from the Guangdong province in China, this style of cooking provides a menu that contains something for everyone.
Since Canton, now called Guangzhou, is a port city on the coast of China one might expect seafood to be a prominent part of that menu. And so it is. Live fish and other seafood will often be maintained in a tank until it's time for cooking.
Since the food is so fresh it isn't necessary to have heavy spices that overwhelm the taste. Whether the dish is based on shark's fin or whole fish you can depend on a Cantonese dish providing something that is not far away from still moving.
Stir-frying is a popular technique, but steaming and roasting play an equal role. Beef chow fun, a popular stir-fried dish with wide rice noodles, is a great example. Roasted meats are a favorite with street vendors, but even they keep it fresh by having continual sales. Cantonese roast duck, known for its marination process and shiny, reddish-brown crispy skin, is a standout. Char siu pork, with its unique flavor from hoisin sauce and Chinese five spice powder is always popular. Barbecued meats may be part of the offerings, but when they are, the sauces are light.
The sauce that highlights a Cantonese dish may be something as simple and delicious as hoisin. This thick, brown liquid may be dense but the taste is not overwhelming. Made from soy, garlic and chili peppers it provides just the right hint to a roasted chicken. Soy sauce also plays a crucial role in enhancing flavors in dishes like Beef Chow Fun.
Many other spices can be found on the Cantonese chef's shelf. Ginger, spring onion and sesame oil are ever present. Ginger scallion dipping sauce, a traditional accompaniment to White Cut Chicken, is a must-have. Five-spice powder is de rigueur in any Cantonese kitchen. A blend of the traditional five Chinese flavors - sweet, sour, bitter, savory and salty - it can be made from Tung Hing (a type of cassia), anise, ginger root and cloves. But, in all Cantonese dishes it is used sparingly.
Cantonese cooking is not all meats, spiced or otherwise. Congee, a type of rice porridge, is a traditional offering, particularly for breakfast. Unlike its Western counterpart, white rice used for congee is boiled until it is practically a thickened soup. The rice is nearly unrecognizable as individual grains. It is often combined with seasoned duck eggs or century eggs, made from quail or other fowl, preserved for weeks or months in lime and ash.
Slow-cooked soup is another traditional Cantonese dish that takes a long time to prepare though, fortunately, not quite so long as century eggs. In one variation a whole chicken may be simmered in a pot with water all night. The result is then lightly seasoned and served warm.
Last, but very far from least, we owe to the Cantonese the traditional dim sum. A combination of foods, such as dumplings, which are often stuffed with meat and sweetened with sauce, no trip to a Cantonese restaurant is complete without ordering at least one serving for the whole table.
Some critics will complain that Cantonese cooking is bland. Don't you believe it. Subtle, fresh and light are often just what is called for. Try it and see for yourself.
Beyond the Cantonese style
Cantonese foods are particularly appealing due to their mild flavors and fresh ingredients. Cantonese style cuisine makes an emphasis in the freshness of the ingredients and the contrast of flavors and textures. Being so fresh, the food does not need heavy spices to taste great.
There is much more to explore about Chinese food and recipes. Cantonese restaurants offer a variety of popular dishes typically available at these establishments. Cantonese cuisine is one of the four wide styles in Chinese cuisine, with sweet and sour dishes being a characteristic example of Cantonese cooking. What is Cantonese style? It includes a variety of traditional Chinese dishes and cooking techniques, providing insights into popular recipes and methods that showcase the unique flavors and characteristics of Cantonese-style food.