Chinese Cuisine: How to Use Chopsticks

1. Place upper portion of 1 chopstick in curve between thumb and first finger of eating hand, resting lower portion against side of fourth finger in a stationary position. You should not be able to wiggle this chopstick.
2. Place upper portion of second chopstick above first chopstick, between tip of thumb and side of first finer and resting against middle finger (similar how you would hold a pen or pencil). You should be able to wiggle this chopstick.
3.  By moving your index finger, move the top chopstick up and down, creating an open and close action against the bottom chopstick, perfect for picking up everything from dim sum dumplings to pea pods.

Chopstick Etiquette

Yes, just as with knives and forks, there are manners when using chopsticks. We're not sure how authentic these points of etiquette are. However, they might keep you from offending your host.

1. To prevent 'double dipping', use larger ends of chopsticks to choose food from a common platter. the trick here is to remember to turn them around before starting to eat again.
   
2. Don't pass food from one pair of chopstick to another.
3. Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice.
4. Don't spear food with chopsticks. If food needs to be cut, pick up food and bite off portion.
5. Use chopsticks to eat solid pieces in soup (such as wanton, brccoli, pea pods), then use the open-bowled spoon for the broth.
6. Don't use chopsticks to pull bowls or plates towards you.

So there you have it, some basic etiquettes for an authentic Chinese Cuisine experience.

    

Chinese Cuisine Simplified - Introduction

Chinese cuisine is known the world over, and there are Chinese restaurants in numerous countries, bringing its rich and distinctive flavors to all. There are thousands of dishes in Chinese cuisine and they are normally prepared from not just one ingredient but a combination of them. This allows the flavors to suppress and compliment one another, creating unique new aromas and making Chinese cuisine a delight to your senses!


Although North Americans refer to Chinese cuisine as one unified cooking style, it can actually be separated into five main regions, all featuring distinct flavors and unique ingredients Cantonese cuisine is famous for fried rice, roasted and grilled meats, and dim sum; Fukien (Eastern) cuisine for soups and sea foods; Peking cuisine for noodles, ducks and subtle use of seasonings; Honan cuisine for sweets and sour foods; and Szechuan cuisine for hot and spicy dishes. In Chinese Cuisine Simplified, you will find recipes that have been influenced by all of these regional cooking styles.  


Interestingly, many of the dishes we associate with Chinese cuisine are really adaptations of traditional recipes or more recent inventions designed to accommodate the  western palate. Familiar items such as chop suey and fortune cookies were actually created in the United States! 


Chinese Cuisine Simplified includes recipes for your favorite Chinese dishes and for new, exciting ones that you haven't tried yet. Take pleasure in the adventure of discovering new flavors. Familiarize yourself with the Asian section of your grocery store or local Asian market  and if you come across ingredients that you don'r know, refer to the articles that will soon follow. 


P.S :  Along with Chinese cuisine, you will also be introduced to other sumptuous Oriental cuisines such as Thai, Malay and other SouthEast Asian delights that are incredibly easy to prepare but equally gratifying.