Four easy Chinese recipes to try

Four easy Chinese recipes to try in residence

All you need is a microwave and simple kitchen tools to create these sweet and savory dishes

BRUBEY HU

Iwent for my undergraduate studies in a city without much great Chinese food. I missed that taste of home terribly during my first year. While I faced limitations to cooking fancy dishes in my dorm, I learned a few quick and easy Chinese recipes that are just as delicious as their takeout counterparts. They can be made in residence, even without a stove, and don’t require a lot of cooking utensils either — all you need is a cutting board, a knife, and a microwave. You can get all the ingredients from an Asian market, although most of them are available at big supermarkets too.

CUCUMBER SALAD

This is my favourite appetizer of all time. My grandma used to make it for me. It is refreshing and nutritious, and only takes five minutes to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 1 long cucumber or 6 mini cucumbers • 3 cloves of garlic (minced) • 1 green onion (minced) • 1 tsp. of sesame oil • 1 tbsp. of vegetable oil • Chili oil (as much as needed) • 2 tbsp. of soy sauce • 3 tbsp. of black vinegar • Dash of black pepper

Optional: • Peanuts • Ginger (minced) • Cilantro (chopped) Optional: • Green onion • White sesame • BBQ sauce (as an alternative to all the sauce listed)

Steps:

1. Put the cucumber(s) into a clean plastic bag and smash with a cleaver until broken.

This is the secret to the Chinese cucumber salad, because it gives a coarse texture and allows the cucumber to hold more sauce. 2. Cut the cucumber(s) into pieces. Cutting it diagonally increases the surface area in order to absorb more sauce. 3. Mix the garlic and green onion (and ginger) with the cucumber. 4. Pour all sauces and oils onto the cucumber. Mix well. 5. Add peanuts and cilantro.

DRY NOODLES (BAN MIAN)

Eating by yourself and don’t know what to cook? Try this simple yet savory dish! The kick of Laoganma chili sauce complements the smoothness of the peanut butter, and together they elevate the plain noodles.

Ingredients:

• 1 serving of long noodles • Cooked sausage or ham • Edible raw vegetables of your choice (e.g. cucumber, arugula, carrot) • 2 tbsp. of peanut butter (or any other nut butter) • 2 tbsp. of soy sauce • Dash of salt • Dash of sugar • Laoganma chili sauce (as much as needed) Optional: • Green onion (chopped)

Steps:

1. Pour hot, boiled water onto the uncooked noodles. Keep in mind they don't have to be fully cooked. 2. Cut the vegetables into pieces and microwave them for four minutes to dehydrate. 3. Add all sauce and chopped sausage/ham on drained noodles. 4. Add a bit of the water to the bowl and microwave for seven minutes. You have to add some water here otherwise the noodles will be very dry. 5. Mix the noodles with chopped raw vegetables. Add green onion for garnish.

MICROWAVE CHICKEN WINGS

Ingredients:

• 12 chicken wings • 1 tbsp. of oyster sauce • 3 tbsp. of light soy sauce • 3 tbsp. of cooking wine

Dry noodles, or Ban Mian, are an easy recipe with just a bit of a kick. CREDIT: UNSPLASH

• Dash of black pepper • Dash of sugar • Dash of salt • Honey

Steps:

1. Marinate the chicken wings with oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, black pepper, and cooking wine in a microwavable bowl. Let them sit for at least 30 minutes for the wings to absorb the sauce. 2. Microwave the wings at high power for five minutes. 3. Flip the wings over and microwave at high power for five more minutes. 4. Brush a layer of honey on top, then microwave for one and a half minutes. 5. Add chopped green onion and white sesame on top.

MICROWAVE GRILLED EGGPLANTS

I never used to be a big fan of eggplants, but this dish totally changed my view. If you don’t have much time for cooking but crave a tasty grilled eggplant, you must try this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 fat eggplant • 3 cloves of garlic (minced) • 1 tbsp. oyster sauce • 1 tbsp. light soy sauce • 1/2 tsp. sugar • 1 tsp. chili powder • 1 tsp. cumin powder • 1 tbsp. vegetable oil Optional: • Cheese

Steps:

1. Microwave the eggplant as a whole for five minutes at high power. 2. Take the eggplant out of the microwave and cut it in half. 3. Mix all other ingredients together in a bowl. Add two tbsps of water. Spread it evenly on the eggplant. 4. Microwave for another five minutes. Take out and add some cheese on top if you so desire. Enjoy!