But can the first dude cook rice?

     In my travels on the internet yesterday, I was tickled to find 2 newspaper pieces that probably would have no correlation in your mind unless you’ve been a foreign student in East Asia. When I was studying in Taiwan in the mid-80s, there was a running joke about foreign students (particularly the guys) falling in love with [...]

Wok this way…

In Chinese, a wok (pronounced guo in Mandarin) is a generic term for a pot or pan. In America, wok has come to mean a stirfry pan, but in actuality, this versatile utensil can be used to stirfy, braise, simmer, deep-fry, and even steam food. You don’t absolutely have to have a wok to make [...]

Do I need to buy a cleaver?

Among my mother’s cookbooks are some volumes from a series on cuisines around the world. I don’t recall now the name of the series, but I do remember flipping the pages of these gorgeous coffee table books over and over when I was a child. The one on Chinese cooking fascinated me no end because [...]

Steamers

A good multilevel steamer is an invaluable piece of equipment, and I recommend that you buy a decent one – go with stainless steel rather than aluminum (sturdier) or invest in a bamboo steamer – make sure you have a pot it will fit. Can’t find a steamer nearby and don’t want to order it? [...]