A Favorite Vegetable Topping

My 12" cast iron frying pan is my canvas. I throw in olive oil (with a dash of toasted sesame oil when I have it) and I add rooster hot sauce and spicy garlic hot sauce, chopped broccoli and cauliflower florets and peeled and chopped stems and core too, a can of water chestnuts, freshly grated ginger, port wine, soy sauce, and kosher salt. It is fabulous eaten on top of grains or noodles or by itself. Sometimes we add thinly sliced and chopped cooked chicken, fish, beef, egg, almonds or peanuts. Experiment and invent your own dish.

My Brighton Beach Grandparents Nat and Sophie ate Chinese food every night I MAKE Chinese food every night!

The traditional Chinese diet, featuring low or moderate amounts of animal-based protein and plenty of plant-based foods, is one among many traditional diet styles that has received praise for its disease-fighting abilities. More than just a delicious way of preparing food, traditional Chinese cooking uses food as therapy to harmonize the body with the seasons. Strategic blends of spices and flavors contribute to the healthful and delicious qualities of this diet.

The traditional Chinese diet features vegetables that have been lightly steamed or stir fried, accompanied by starches like rice, noodles or dumplings. Meat and fish are part of the traditional diet, but are served in much smaller amounts than is typical in the Western diet. While American cooking styles tend to associate spices with flavor enhancement, in Chinese cooking, garlic and ginger tend to be included as aids to digestion, according to the website Chinese Holistic Health Exercises. Green tea, known for its antioxidant qualities, also features prominently in the Chinese diet.

Traditional Chinese Diet
Jan 13, 2014 | By Melissa Smith