| Before discussing how to find and prepare traditional | | | | you'll likely be informed that your recipe isn't "right!" |
| Chinese food recipes, let's first clarify what traditional | | | | Another good thing to remember is that sometimes |
| means. Traditional means that it's done in the original | | | | traditional items are difficult to find, if you live in an area |
| style of something, with no substitutions or | | | | with limited sources of ethnic grocery stores or they |
| modifications. The food you find in Chinese buffets and | | | | don't have a large selection- then you may have quite |
| other restaurants, are not ordinarily cooked using | | | | a bit of difficulty in attempting to prepare any type of |
| traditional recipes or methods. | | | | traditional Chinese food recipes. Check out your local |
| This is where the restaurant industry has done many | | | | grocer's ethnic food aisles, and attempt to visit any |
| lovers of various ethnic foods a grave disservice, | | | | local Asian markets that may be near you to see |
| because those who frequent their restaurants often | | | | what's available in your area. This can save you a lot |
| don't realize that what they are getting isn't truly | | | | of frustration ahead of time in trying to prepare any |
| authentic or made using traditions native to the culture. | | | | new dishes. |
| This is when tourists are often extremely surprised | | | | When you get ready to prepare your recipe, make |
| after visiting a region and ordering a dish that they think | | | | sure you've read through the entire recipe ahead of |
| they've had many times before! | | | | time. Some traditional recipes actually require hours or |
| Finding traditional Chinese food recipes can be rather | | | | even DAYS to prepare properly, so waiting until the |
| tricky, since most recipes you can find on the internet | | | | last minute to get started without reading through the |
| have been modified to make them more quickly or | | | | recipe ahead of time can be disastrous to your |
| using ingredients that are readily available as mixes, this | | | | attempts at making it. Have your ingredients purchased |
| is where a lot of people mess up even traditional | | | | ahead of time, know what kind of time frame you are |
| recipes. When making a traditional ethnic dish, most | | | | looking at for preparing it, and make sure that you fully |
| times substitutions or "mixes" are not allowed or, if they | | | | understand any special instructions before beginning. |
| are done- will ruin the entire recipe. | | | | You can find traditional Chinese food recipes online |
| If you search for any type of recipe online, try to find a | | | | through some recipe websites, forums or message |
| site dedicated solely to Chinese recipes. Do a bit of | | | | boards. Another great resource for them is to check |
| research before choosing the recipes you will cook, | | | | your local library's cooking section, especially if they've |
| and make sure that you are getting traditional recipes. | | | | got a section specifically for traditional or ethnic |
| If you choose non-traditional dishes or versions of | | | | cooking. Major book retailers are also a great resource |
| dishes, remember that if you are preparing them for | | | | for cookbooks, you can even special order books if |
| someone who is familiar with traditional dishes, then | | | | they don't have the one you need in stock. |