| There are four different schools of Chinese cooking. | | | | salty in one mouthful. This region's favorite seasonings |
| They divide by region, northern, southern, eastern and | | | | are chiles, peppercorns, ginger, garlic, water chestnuts, |
| western. Each one is distinctly unique. | | | | bamboo shoots, nuts, and mushrooms. This region's |
| The northern school of Chinese cooking is the most | | | | signature dish is Sichuan style stir fried chicken with |
| eclectic. This region of cooking incorporates the most | | | | peanuts. |
| refined cooking of palace kitchens. They also include | | | | The southern school of Chinese cooking is known for |
| Mongolian and Muslim tastes. This region's claim to | | | | combining Cantonese cooking with contemporary |
| fame is noodles, steamed breads, and pancakes | | | | ingredients from the west. Cantonese cooking is |
| instead of rice. Their particular style of cooking is stir | | | | considered quite exotic. This region's claim to fame is |
| frying, pan frying, braising, and barbequing. Their | | | | Dim Sum which are snacks. Its cooking style is a |
| favorite seasonings are garlic, chives, leeks, star anise, | | | | combination of excellent ingredients and refined |
| and sweet bean sauces. Their signature dish is Moo | | | | technique. This region's signature dishes are steamed |
| Shu Pork with Mandarin pancakes. | | | | salmon with black bean sauce, Hoisin barbequed |
| The eastern school of Chinese cooking is nicknamed | | | | chicken, stir fried broccoli with oyster sauce, and |
| Heaven on Earth and The Land of Fish and Rice. This | | | | shrimp fried rice. |
| region is known for vegetarian specialties and subtle, | | | | There are certain food items that need to be stocked |
| refined flavors. Its claim to fame is the best soy | | | | in the pantry in order to create Chinese cooking. These |
| sauces and some of the best rice wines. This region's | | | | items are black vinegar, which is lighter and sweeter |
| cooking style is red cooking, which is braising in a soy | | | | than western vinegar, chili paste or sauce, dark |
| sauce based mixture, stir frying, steaming, and quick | | | | sesame oil, dried chili peppers, dried Chinese |
| simmering. Its signature dishes are Cinnamon Beef | | | | mushrooms, which are shitake or black mushrooms, |
| Noodles and Vegetarian Dumplings. | | | | fermented or salted black beans, ginger, Hoisin sauce, |
| The western school of Chinese cooking is nicknamed | | | | oyster sauce, plum sauce, rice wine, and soy sauce. |
| the Land of Abundance. Its cuisine is known for its | | | | These ingredients can be found in well stocked |
| spiciness. This region's claim to fame is tongue tingling | | | | supermarkets, in any Asian market, or available online. |
| heat. Its cooking style is known for flavorings and | | | | Unless other wise indicated these ingredients should be |
| condiments that blend to create hot, sweet, sour, and | | | | refrigerated after opening. |