The first step in fast Asian cooking is to have
a well-stocked pantry. This keeps your meal options open and cuts down
on last-minute shopping expeditions.
Time Saving Asian Cooking Tips:
- Stir-frying is one of the fastest
cooking methods. It is also one of the most popular ways of preparing
Asian food. The most important thing when stir-frying is to have
everything ready before you start cooking. Have all your vegetables
chopped into even-sized pieces and any sauces, pastes or liquids
measured out.
- Most Asian dishes are served with rice
or noodles. Rice usually takes about 15 minutes to cook, so before you
start cutting up your vegetables, put the rice on; if it is ready before
your meal is, cover and keep warm. Pre-cooked frozen rice is available and
can be defrosted in the microwave. Noodle cooking times vary, so time
your noodles so that they are cooked when the rest of the meal is ready.
- Buying pre-cut meat will save you time,
but be selective as pre-cut meat can be fatty.
- Your wok must be hot before the oil and
food are added. This ensures that the cooking time is short and the
ingredients, especially meat, will be scared instantly, sealing in the
flavor.
Asian Pantry Staples:
Chinese cooking wine, coconut cream,
coconut milk, curry pastes, dried mushrooms, fish sauce, garlic, ginger,
hoisin sauce, honey, mirin, miso, noodles, nuts, oyster sauce, peanut
oil, rice, sambal oelek, sesame oil, soft brown sugar or palm sugar, soy
sauce, sweet chili sauce, tamarind puree, vegetable and meat stocks.
