China-Friendly Western Food Recipes

[buanryoh]

Hello all,

Basically, after eating out daily for over a year now, I'm starting to miss a good ol' homecooked meal. As I live in Shanghai, purchasing some of the more 'exotic' ingredients found in Western food is not as difficult compared to when I was living in Tianjin. Yet, looking at some of the recipes online, there are always one or two thatyou just can't seem to find here.

What i'm after is any recipes - preferably mediterranean or italian - that taste great, are easy to cook in China (i.e. do not require the use of an oven) and are reasonably priced.

Thanks

M

[leeyah]

Oh, I understand you perfectly. I was in the same situation both times in China. Actually, there's lots of Chinese food I really love, but my body eventually asked for some guxiang food. And I had no cooker the first time I was there, so I ate salads. Well, you say you don't have an oven, but I guess you have a cooker or something. So here's some ideas for you and all who miss the taste of the Mediterranean:

First, you can always cook some spaghetti with sauce. For the sauce basic ingredients are: olive oil, a pinch of flour, canned or fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil (can't be without it!), sugar & salt, some pepper if you like it hot. If you need more energy, you can start making the sauce by easy-frying the onions with minced beef then proceed with the basic sauce.

Or you can cook a salsa. You need to cut aubergines, tomatoes, paprika, garlic into small chunks, cook them in their own juice until tender (don't add water!!), then spice with salt, sugar, pepper & parsley. Serve cold. Ah, yummy!

Or you can always make a nice Mediterranean salad. You need: olive oil, green lettuce, fresh tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, red-yellow-green paprika, mozzarella or feta cheese, black & green olives, garlic, onions, etc. Mix them with cooked rice or pasta, or just quick-fry some toast to make diced bruschettini. Spice it with herbs like oregano, mix salt & vinegar or lemon juice or even aceto balsamico to make the dressing.

Or even simpler: tzatziki(Greek cucumber salad) or potato salad. For tzatziki you need fresh cucumbers, yoghurt, sour cream, garlic, salt & Mediterranean herbs. Here's tzatziki sauce (good with meat or you can have it with Italian bread) & to make the salad, you need to slice the cucumbers, add herbs & shredded garlic, pour yoghurt & sour cream over it an mix 'em all together. Serve cold. For potato salad boil the potatoes, cut them in thin slices, then add fresh sliced onions, in a separate bowl mix salt, olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice or mustard for dressing. Don't forget parsley! Have some cooked fish with it. (a tip for fresh onions: slice them then squeeze them with your hands, to release the juice, adds extra flavour to the salad)

Or cook some soup, that's easy! You need oil, onions, meat, water, ginger & other spices. You can even break an egg into the boiling soup when it's almost done.

The only problem is stuff like olives, cheeses and other western food are a bit pricey if you're a student. That was my problem. Italian herbs & spices are also available, but expensive, and it's best if you bring them from home, or have them sent to you.

Edited July 28, 2009 at 01:32 PM by leeyah
cooking vocab :)

[AxelManbow]

Cheaper than buying, I have taken to growing my own herbs. All you need is a decent sized windowsill, some seeds, and some plant pots. Only thing to watch for is mosquitoes hatching. It works surprisingly well in the North of China too, since in the winter the heating is so high it's almost 12 months of Mediterranean weather!

[leeyah]

I have taken to growing my own herbs. All you need is a decent sized windowsill, some seeds, and some plant pots. Only thing to watch for is mosquitoes hatching.

Oh, is that so?

Actually I've been thinking of giving up on dried stuff and growing some mint, parsley & marjory this time in GZ instead, because fresh mint I couldn't find anywhere and the parsley I once bought in a supermarket tasted weird (although the label said: 'organic') so I chucked it away. I've managed just fine in the Chinese south so far and I really don't need more mosquitoes than the usual bunch sieging my windowsill. So, thanks for the warning!

[Madot]

I've got lots of recipes which, with a bit of patience, could be prepared in China. In fact, I've just completed a family collection for my daughter with over 300 recipes and I'm happy to share as many as you want (Just send me a private email so I can send attachments.)

BUT-- and here I'll admit my own axe to grind-- they require herbs and spices which may well be hard to find. SO here's the question-- does anyone know if it's legal to bring some packets of spices into the country? I'll be arriving in about 4 weeks. I've thought of just hiding them among the clothing, but REALLY don't want any hassles with Customs, sniffer dogs, officers who don't know oregano from pot. Does anyone know if it's actually okay to bring them in? (e.g,. oregano NOT pot!) :-)

Mado

[Scoobyqueen]

How about a straightforward Spanish tortilla?

You need a hob and frying pan (Teflon if possible)

This is how I do them. Cut an onion and cut 4-5 medium potatoes into small cubes. Heat (sunflower) oil in frying pan with enough to cover the mixture (but you can also do less) Fry both on medium/low heat until tender. Whilst frying, whisk four eggs introducing air into it. Leave to one side.

When potatoes onion ready, pour off excessive oil to keep. Pour potatoes and onions into egg mixture. Add salt (plenty). Pour some oil back on frying pan. Pour mixture in. let it set and turn heat down. Move frying pan from side to side as it fries to ensure mixture has separated from pan. After 3-5 min turn tortilla by placing a plate on top of frying pan (must fit like lid). Hold tight with hand on plate and other hand on handle as you turn it (careful some liquid can spill out) in a quick movement upside down. Then you end up with tortilla on plate but uncooked mixture facing down. Pour a bit of oil on frying pan again and push tortilla from plate onto frying pan. repeat procedure above and you have a simple and quick tortilla. Eat with mayonnaise cold meat like smoked salmon or with salad.

[skylee]

Just send me a private email so I can send attachments

If you post them here then everyone can benefit. The "Attach Files" option is underneath the box where you input your reply.

[imron]

the parsley I once bought in a supermarket tasted weird

Did you mean parsley or coriander (香菜)? They look quite similar but taste completely different. If you've meant to buy 香菜 but instead picked up something at the supermarket that was labeled parsley, then that could very well explain the different taste.

[Madot]

Thanks, Skylee. I'll give it a try. Here are a few attached. I'm not at my own computer so I've done this quickly, mainly to see if I could work the attachment thingy so I haven't made any changes in the recipes necessary for China. If this works, I'll make changes and send other recipes. See what you think.

BUt hey, what about my question about bringing in spices? Does anyone know if I can do that legally?

Mado

Pork with orange sauce.doc

Chicken Cacciatora (alla Lalla).doc

Coq au Vin.doc

[imron]

I have brought in spices before and never had any problem. There was no need to try and conceal/hide them either. They were just in their jars, in my bag.

Chinese customs is quite lax compared to Australian customs.

[Madot]

Okay, here are several recipes which I've modified for use in China. See what you think. Buon appetito, Bon appetit, and all that jazz... Please share and let us all know how they come out. I suppose it could be a bit tricky using a wok rather than the usual pots and pans but as long as you can lower the fire, they should work fine.

Mado

Hash.doc

Mr. Guiseppi's Suffrit.doc

Orecchiette with Ciccoria.doc

Seven Lemon Veal.doc

Tomato Sauce with Mushrooms.doc

[leeyah]

Did you mean parsley or coriander (香菜)? They look quite similar but taste completely different.

I can't remember what the label said, but you are right, fresh coriander looks very similar to parsley. I googled for some images to try and spot the difference and yes, it seems that 香菜 has shorter stalks Anyway, the stuff I bought had thin & long stalks, smelled like parsley but tasted stronger, could have been coriander after all. I guess next time I'd better stick to celery. BTW, talking of cooking in China, the Chinese told me it's better to eat stuff that grows above the surface than stuff grown inside the ground. Less contamination. BUT I just love red carrots. They were so juicy & tasted so sweet, I had no heart to cook them so I ate them raw. Every day in GZ. I never eat carrots at home...

Now, back to simple & affordable China friendly recipes, simple potato dishes:

mashed potatoes with garlic & herbs: grate 3-4 fresh garlic cloves while boiling the potatoes in salty water, when the potatoes are cooked, drain them & mash them vigorously with a large fork adding garlic, plenty of butter & some warm milk to it while mashing to make them smooth (show no mercy or it won't look too good!). When it's done & while it's still hot, stir in some herbs, looks nice, tastes good.

potato burgers: blanche potatoes, carrots, garlic & onions for a few minutes in boiling water, then grate them, dump a couple of eggs over them, add salt & grated ginger, then squeeze the mixture to let the juice drip away. Fry in the shape of burgers in a sauce pan until golden brown. Goes with mayonnaise & meat balls .

tuna fish with mashed potatoes: cook the potatoes, mash them then leave until cold. Pour the contents of a tuna can into a separate bowl (if you're not too fond of the smell of fish you can drain the oil first) then add some olive oil & lemon juice (not so cheap in China, but anyway), shredded garlic & onions, minced herbs, a spoonful of mustard, a sprinkle of pepper powder(skip it if it's Thai-made tuna, it's too hot already) then mix them all together to form a smooth paste, or just a bit if you like to see your tuna in chunks. Join with mashed potatoes and there you go!

[liuzhou]

I think some people are looking at this back to front. Instead of looking for substitutes for things you cant find, look for what you can find then, if you really need to "western food", adapt recipes.

Certainly most herbs and spices you will have to import and grow. I have a splendid herb garden on my roof.

Also, everything depends on where you are in China. Some of the suggestions so far would be fine in Beijing or Shanghai if you want to pay enough. Away from there, forget it.

That said, I can get orecchiette no problem, but not cayenne (and it's not the same as chilli powder!).

Veal? Forget it. Most "beef" is water buffalo.

Lemons are plentiful here. But I'm in the south.

Dry white wine is a bit of a challenge too.

Edited July 31, 2009 at 09:56 PM by liuzhou

[BrandeX]

Here is one I like, Tacos.

Go to import store and but taco kit with shells and sauce, shredded cheese, or a block to shred yourself, some sour cream, and whatever else you like on tacos. Save a few bucks by getting your ground beef and lettuce at Jusco. Make Tacos in kitchen. Cost approx 100rmb for 6-8pcs with usually some left over ingredients. MMmmm.