Celebrate Chinese New Year 2022 with these easy vegetarian recipes Wine News

As a third-generation Cantonese chef who grew up in the beating heart of Chinese restaurants and takeaways owned and run by my parents and grandfather before them, writing these recipes felt like a deliciously therapeutic trip down memory lane.

When I came to create vegetarian/vegan dishes, I was really excited. But I was troubled by the array of overseas processed and processed products that just pretended to be meat. And so I started to cook; taking the freshest produce, the five tastes of Chinese cuisine – salty, spicy, sour, sweet and bitter – and using traditional cooking techniques that, instead of masking flavors, elevate them to new heights .

Whenever I’m in Hong Kong, I head to the many temples and monasteries not only for the complete tranquility and beauty, but also for their amazing food. Vegetarianism is one of the most important contributions that Buddhist monks made to Chinese cuisine. Over the centuries they have perfected the preparation of these dishes and since most abstain from all meat, fish and egg by-products, many dishes can easily be modified to become completely vegan.

Traditional cooking methods include quick stir-frying in a wok over very high heat. As soon as the ingredients touch the red-hot surface, they’re sealed, locking in all the goodness, and within minutes they’re cooked. Take your time to ensure each vegetable is cut to the same size and immerse yourself in the simple pleasure of preparation – cooking can be quite frantic as the wok roars, spits and smokes above the flames.

Whether you’re a devout vegan or a carnivore who likes to “graze on the green side”, vegetables should no longer be just a side dish, but should be celebrated in all their glory; the world is your… cucumber!

Six Simple Vegetarian Chinese Recipes

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Sometimes all we want is something simple to do that won’t create an explosion of pots and pans to wash out later. A mountain of vegetables in a rich, aromatic and velvety umami sweet chilli sauce served over noodles or steamed rice is just the thing.