Kung Pao Chicken
This famous Sichuan dish is known for its "scorched-chili lychee" flavor: lightly sweet and sour with the aroma of dried chilies and Sichuan pepper, tender chicken and crunchy peanuts, full of layered textures. It's rich in quality protein and unsaturated fatty acids and great with rice. There are a simple and an advanced version, both fairly beginner-friendly—just plan the marinating time ahead. It takes about 1.5 hours from prep to plate.
Hand-Pulled Flatbread (Shou Zhuabing)
Hand-pulled flatbreads are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside with distinct layers. They are a popular household pastry. The dough uses half-boiling-half-cold water, making the skin flexible and chewy. Paired with eggs and vegetables, it is nutritionally balanced. This recipe is beginner-friendly; from mixing the dough to serving takes about 40 minutes, making it perfect for a busy morning.
Black Pepper Beef Strips
Black Pepper Beef Strips is a popular home-style stir-fry. With its rich black pepper flavor, tender beef strips paired with sweet and crunchy onions and colorful peppers, it offers a perfect balance between meat and vegetables, and is palatable for everyone. The beef is rich in high-quality protein and iron, while the peppers and onions supplement various vitamins. This dish is very beginner-friendly, and from prep to serving, it can usually be completed within an hour.
Spicy Braised Crab
This dish is a seasonal limited flavor from Pinghu, Zhejiang, featuring a salty and savory autumn taste. The rich crab roe is coated in a savory sauce, and the crab meat is fresh and sweet; the sauce is exceptionally good for rice. It is rich in high-quality protein and trace elements. Moderate difficulty, suitable for beginners with basic skills; the whole process takes about 30 minutes from preparation to serving.
Polish patties (kotlety)
Gevulde speculaas
Spanish fig & almond balls
Squid, chickpea & chorizo salad
Mamoul (Eid biscuits)
Pizza Dough
Pizza dough uses low-temperature overnight fermentation, giving the finished crust a soft yet slightly chewy texture. It is a home-style Western baked good. It mainly provides carbohydrates and a small amount of healthy fat. The process is simple, but it requires patiently waiting for the dough to ferment, so it is also beginner-friendly. From preparation to baking completion, including overnight refrigeration, it takes about 10–14 hours, so it is suitable to prepare a day in advance.
