Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is not only a rich cultural and spiritual celebration, but also a gastronomic event that offers professional chefs the opportunity to experiment and reinterpret traditional dishes. The use of innovative ingredients plays a key role in this process, allowing chefs to open up new dimensions.
Unique and Lesser Known Raw Materials
A Chinese cuisine is extremely diverse, and there are many contains raw materials, that are not found in Western cuisines. Here are some unique and lesser-known ingredients that can be inspiring
- Lotus seeds: The lotus seed is not only unique in taste, but also symbolic as a symbol of abundance and prosperity. It can be used in puddings, soups or even as a filling.
- Jujube (Chinese date): This fruit has a sweet flavour and a supple texture, making it ideal for desserts or even as a starter in its acidified form.
- Black sesame seeds: With its intense flavour and nutritional value, black sesame seeds are a great match dessert envelopes, for example in sesame paste or sesame seed enriched cakes.
- Fermented black beans: This ingredient adds a special salty flavour to dishes. Excellent as a base for sauces and marinades.
- Goji berry: Goji berries are not only healthy, but their sweet and slightly tart flavour can be an interesting addition to salads, desserts or even drinks.
Ideas
Make classic dishes such as dumpling or Peking duck, but add a modern twist by using these ingredients. Unique ingredients allow for different combinations of flavours and textures, creating unusual and memorable food experiences. However, don't forget to inform your guests about the origin and significance of the ingredients, thus enhancing their experience, not to mention avoiding a possible allergic reaction.
1. Rethinking Dim Sum
Dim sum, a traditional Chinese dish that comes in many different forms, is the perfect ingredient for creativity. Try a new filling, such as quinoa or sweet potato, to add a modern, health-conscious twist. The reinvented dim sum can be served with innovative sauces such as ginger orange or chilli chocolate.
2. Peking Duck
The reimagining of Peking duck gives you the opportunity to serve a traditional dish in a modern, visually stunning way. Prepare duck breast sous-vide, serve with refreshing cucumber spaghetti and homemade hozin sauce, retaining the flavour of the original dish but in a modern, clean format.
3. Kung Pao chicken
Prepare the original hot and spicy Sichuan Pepper Chicken (Kung Pao Chicken) as a refreshing salad. Cook the chicken sous-vide until perfectly tender and succulent, then cut into thin slices and pile on top of a salad containing fresh cilantro, sliced cucumber and thinly sliced peppers. Instead of the traditional Sichuan sauce, use a light, citrusy vinaigrette dominated by the flavour of Sichuan pepper, retaining the character of the original dish but in a more refreshing form.
