Koshari
Dry-Fried Chicken with Potatoes
This is an innovative Sichuan dish with a sweet and spicy flavor, originating from Peking University canteens. The chicken is marinated before frying, resulting in crispy skin and tender meat; the potatoes are fluffy and sticky; the green peppers remain crisp. They are coated in a glossy, sweet and spicy sauce. The flavor is salty, sweet, and mildly spicy, which is very appetizing. It is rich in protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins. The cooking process involves deep-frying and sauce simmering, which poses a slight challenge for beginners, but the dish will succeed if you follow the steps. Total time is approximately 1 hour.
Lasagne
Instant Ramen with Egg
Instant ramen with egg is a convenient and speedy main dish. It has a smooth texture and rich soup flavor, making it suitable for satiating hunger anytime. It primarily provides carbohydrates and protein, allowing for a quick energy boost. The method is extremely simple, requiring only boiling water, cooking the noodles, and cracking in an egg to cook. It is easy for beginners to master and takes about 10 minutes from start to finish.
Jamaican Steamed Cabbage
Purple sprouting broccoli tempura with nuoc cham
Stir-fried Eggplant
This home-style stir-fried eggplant is soft, tender, flavorful, and rich in savory sauce. Adding star anise enhances the flavor. Eggplant is rich in dietary fiber, Vitamin P, and potassium, which helps protect the cardiovascular system. The method is simple and friendly for beginners—stir-fry on high heat the whole time. From prep to serving, the whole process takes about twenty minutes.
Tiger Skin Pork Hock
This dish has a bright red appearance and the skin features an attractive 'tiger stripe' pattern. It is tender, flavorful, not greasy, and lean meat is soft. It is a traditional Chinese banquet dish. Rich in collagen and high-quality protein, it is more easily absorbed after long simmering and has nourishing effects on the skin and joints. The process involves scorching skin, deep-frying, caramelizing sugar, and pressure cooking, which is quite challenging for beginners. It is recommended for those with some cooking experience. Total time is approx 2.5 hours.
English Breakfast
Fresh Scalded Meatball Soup
Fresh Scalded Meatball Soup has a tender, smooth, and bouncy texture. It is a home-style dish that retains the original flavor. Pork provides high-quality protein, and the combination with black fungus and daylilies creates a balanced nutrition. Making this requires hand-mincing the meat and mastering the heat for scalding, which has a slight skill threshold and is better suited for home cooks with some basic culinary skills. The process takes about 1 hour from preparation to serving.
