17 Chinese Fermented Bean Paste Recipe Ignite Your Passion For Cooking!
Published on: Mar 23, 2024
Fermented bean paste, also known as doubanjiang, is a staple ingredient in Chinese cuisine. This aromatic and savory paste is made from fermented soybeans and is a key ingredient in many classic dishes such as Mapo Tofu and Twice-Cooked Pork. While you can easily find pre-made bean paste in Asian grocery stores, making your own at home is not only more cost-effective, but also allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavor to your liking.
Main Ingredients: Chinese Sausage, Dried Scallops, Shrimp, Crabmeat
If you're a fan of Chinese takeout, then you've probably come across XO sauce before. This delicious and versatile sauce is a staple in many Chinese dishes and can add a unique depth of flavor to your beer can chicken. The best part? You can easily make it at home with just a few simple ingredients.
To make your own homemade XO Chinese sauce, you'll need dried shrimp, scallops, dried red chilies, garlic, ginger, and shallots. Toast the dried shrimp and scallops in a dry pan until fragrant, then add in the chilies, garlic, ginger, and shallots until they soften. Blend everything together in a food processor with some oil until you get a smooth sauce. Use this XO sauce as a marinade for your beer can chicken and enjoy the delicious flavors it adds.
Pro tip: For an extra kick of flavor, add in some Chinese five-spice powder to your homemade XO sauce.
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Yu Xiang Pai Gu Mian (Sichuan Noodle and Pork Shoulder...
Main Ingredients: Canola Oil, Boneless Pork Shoulder, Garlic, Ginger
This dish may have a long name, but it's worth every syllable. Yu Xiang Pai Gu Mian is a spicy Sichuan noodle dish that features tender pork shoulder, chewy noodles, and a flavorful sauce. To make this dish, you'll need pork shoulder, dried noodles, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, Sichuan pepper, garlic, and ginger.
Start by boiling the pork shoulder until it is tender and easily shred-able. While the pork is cooking, make your sauce by combining soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and Sichuan pepper in a bowl. In a separate pan, sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant, then add in the pork and noodles. Pour your sauce over everything and mix until well-coated. Serve hot and savor the spicy and savory flavors of this delicious Chinese dish.
Pro tip: For an extra burst of heat, add in some Chinese hot chili paste to your Yu Xiang Pai Gu Mian.
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Yu Xiang Qie Zi (Sichuanese Fried Eggplant)
Main Ingredients: Canola Oil, Crosswise, Japanese Eggplants, Chinese
Another popular dish from the Sichuan province of China, Yu Xiang Qie Zi is a delicious and spicy eggplant dish that is sure to be a hit at your next beer can chicken cookout. To make this dish, you'll need eggplant, cornstarch, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, Sichuan pepper, garlic, and ginger.
Cut the eggplant into bite-sized pieces and coat them in cornstarch. Heat up some oil in a pan and fry the eggplant until it is crispy. In a separate pan, sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant, then add in the eggplant. Pour your sauce made with soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and Sichuan pepper over the eggplant and mix until well-coated. Serve hot and enjoy the spicy and crispy goodness of this dish.
Pro tip: Add in a handful of Szechuan peppercorns to your sauce for an extra layer of flavor and heat.
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Szechuan Chicken
Main Ingredients: Boneless Chicken Thighs, Dark Soy Sauce, Light Soy
No Chinese beer can chicken recipe list would be complete without a classic Szechuan chicken dish. This dish is a crowd-pleaser with its tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and spicy sauce. To make this dish, you'll need chicken breast, cornstarch, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, chili paste, garlic, and ginger.
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and coat them in cornstarch. Fry the chicken in a pan until it is golden brown and crispy. In a separate pan, sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant, then add in the chicken and vegetables of your choice. Make your sauce with soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, and chili paste and pour it over the chicken and vegetables. Mix until everything is well-coated and serve hot for a delicious and spicy meal.
Pro tip: If you want to add some crunch to your Szechuan chicken, sprinkle some peanuts on top before serving.
If you love eggplant, then you'll love this Chinese spicy eggplant dish. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a flavorful and spicy dish that pairs perfectly with your beer can chicken. To make this dish, you'll need eggplant, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, chili paste, garlic, and ginger.
Cut the eggplant into bite-sized pieces and fry them in a pan until they are tender. In a separate pan, sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant, then add in the eggplant. Make your sauce with soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and chili paste and pour it over the eggplant. Mix until well-coated and serve hot for a tasty and spicy side dish.
Pro tip: For an extra kick of flavor, add in some Chinese black vinegar to your sauce.
If you're looking for a vegetarian-friendly dish to pair with your beer can chicken, then this Chinese eggplant with garlic sauce is the perfect choice. This dish is bursting with flavor and is sure to impress your guests. To make this dish, you'll need eggplant, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, chili paste, garlic, and ginger.
Cut the eggplant into bite-sized pieces and fry them until they are tender. In a separate pan, sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant, then add in the eggplant. Make your sauce with soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, and chili paste and pour it over the eggplant. Mix until well-coated and serve hot for a delicious and spicy side dish.
Pro tip: For a sweet and savory twist, add in some honey to your sauce.
If you're a fan of spicy food, then this Chinese chili sauce is a must-try for your beer can chicken. This sauce is packed with heat and flavor and can be used as a marinade, dipping sauce, or condiment for your chicken. To make this sauce, you'll need dried red chilies, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, Sichuan pepper, garlic, and ginger.
Toast the dried red chilies in a dry pan until fragrant, then blend them together with soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, Sichuan pepper, garlic, and ginger until you get a smooth sauce. Brush this sauce onto your beer can chicken before grilling for a spicy and flavorful meal.
Pro tip: For a smoky flavor, add in some Chinese black bean paste to your sauce.
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Chinese Takeout Dishes
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Fresh Ginger, Star Anise, Sea Salt, Pork
Who doesn't love Chinese takeout? But why not try making your own Chinese takeout dishes at home and pairing them with your beer can chicken for a delicious and satisfying meal. Some popular Chinese takeout dishes include General Tso's chicken, orange chicken, and Kung Pao chicken.
You can easily recreate these dishes at home with a few simple ingredients and a bit of know-how. For General Tso's chicken, you'll need chicken breast, cornstarch, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, chili paste, garlic, and ginger. For orange chicken, you'll need chicken breast, cornstarch, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and garlic. And for Kung Pao chicken, you'll need chicken breast, cornstarch, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, chili paste, garlic, ginger, and peanuts.
Pro tip: For a healthier option, try baking your takeout dishes in the oven instead of frying them.
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Chinese Spicy Hot Bean Curd
Main Ingredients: Bean Curd, Green Onions, Minced Ginger, Minced Garlic
Bean curd, also known as tofu, is a staple in Chinese cuisine. This Chinese spicy hot bean curd dish is a popular and delicious way to enjoy tofu as a side dish or protein option for your beer can chicken. To make this dish, you'll need firm tofu, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, chili paste, garlic, and ginger.
Cut the tofu into cubes and fry them until they are crispy. In a separate pan, sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant, then add in the tofu. Make your sauce with soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and chili paste and pour it over the tofu. Mix until well-coated and serve hot for a spicy and flavorful dish.
Pro tip: For a creamy twist, add in some coconut milk to your sauce.
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Chinese Braised Abalone
Main Ingredients: Abalone, Minced Garlic, Minced Ginger, Light Soy Sauce
Looking for a fancy and impressive dish to pair with your beer can chicken? Look no further than Chinese braised abalone. Abalone is a type of shellfish that is considered a delicacy in Chinese cuisine. To make this dish, you'll need abalone, soy sauce, oyster sauce, cooking wine, sugar, and ginger.
Clean and prepare the abalone, then braise it in a mixture of soy sauce, oyster sauce, cooking wine, sugar, and ginger until it is tender and flavorful. Serve alongside your beer can chicken for a high-end and delicious meal.
Pro tip: Use a pressure cooker to braise your abalone for a faster cooking time.
Yu Xiang eggplant, also known as fish-flavored eggplant, is a popular Chinese dish that is often served as a side dish or vegetarian main dish. Despite its name, this dish does not contain any fish but instead gets its name from the combination of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors that are commonly used in fish dishes. To make this dish, you'll need eggplant, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, chili paste, garlic, and ginger.
Cut the eggplant into bite-sized pieces and fry them until they are tender. In a separate pan, sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant, then add in the eggplant. Make your sauce with soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and chili paste and pour it over the eggplant. Mix until well-coated and serve hot for a tasty and spicy dish.
Pro tip: For a smoky flavor, add in some Chinese smoked tofu to your dish.
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Spicy Vermicelli Stir-fry (蚂蚁上树)
Main Ingredients: Vermicelli Noodles, Cooking Oil, Bean Paste, Chilli
Also known as "ants climbing a tree" due to the resemblance of the vermicelli noodles to ants on a tree branch, this spicy dish is a favorite in Sichuan cuisine. To make this dish, you'll need vermicelli noodles, ground pork, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, Sichuan pepper, garlic, and ginger.
Cook the noodles according to package instructions, then set them aside. In a pan, sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant, then add in the ground pork and cook until browned. Add in the noodles and make your sauce with soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and Sichuan pepper. Pour the sauce over the noodles and pork and mix until well-coated. Serve hot for a spicy and flavorful dish.
Pro tip: For a crunchy texture, add in some sliced water chestnuts to your stir-fry.
For a hearty and flavorful dish that pairs perfectly with beer can chicken, try making this braised beef Chinese recipe. This dish features tender beef in a rich and savory sauce that is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. To make this dish, you'll need beef chuck, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, chili paste, garlic, and ginger.
Cut the beef chuck into bite-sized pieces and braise it in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, chili paste, garlic, and ginger until it is tender. Serve hot and enjoy the delicious flavors of this Chinese dish.
Pro tip: For an extra layer of flavor, add in some star anise and cinnamon to your braising liquid.
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Chinese Chitterlings Hot Pot Base
Main Ingredients: Chitterlings, Scallions, Ginger, Vegetable Oil, Beef
Hot pot is a popular Chinese cooking method that involves cooking various ingredients in a pot of simmering broth. This Chinese chitterlings hot pot base is a spicy and flavorful broth that is perfect for cooking your beer can chicken in. To make this base, you'll need pork chitterlings, chicken bones, ginger, garlic, Sichuan peppercorns, and dried chilies.
Clean and prepare the chitterlings, then add them to a pot with chicken bones, ginger, garlic, Sichuan peppercorns, and dried chilies. Let the broth simmer for a few hours to infuse the flavors. Strain the broth and use it as a base for your hot pot. Add in your desired ingredients, including your beer can chicken, and enjoy a delicious and spicy meal.
Pro tip: For a richer broth, add in some pork bones to your hot pot base.
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Spicy Chinese Beef Noodle Soup
Main Ingredients: Beef Shank, Fresh Ginger, Wine, Oil, Garlic, Onion
This spicy Chinese beef noodle soup is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a chilly day. The rich and savory broth is packed with tender beef, vegetables, and noodles, making it a complete meal in itself. To make this soup, you'll need beef chuck, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, chili paste, garlic, ginger, and noodles.
Cut the beef chuck into bite-sized pieces and braise it in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, chili paste, garlic, and ginger until it is tender. In a separate pot, cook your noodles according to package instructions. Combine the beef and its cooking liquid with the noodles and add in your desired vegetables, such as bok choy or mushrooms. Serve hot and enjoy the spicy and comforting flavors of this soup.
Pro tip: For a healthier option, use zucchini noodles instead of traditional noodles.
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Mapo Tofu (Chinese Takeout)
Main Ingredients: Medium Tofu, Ground Pork, Sugar, Ginger Paste, Sake
Another popular Chinese takeout dish, Mapo tofu is a spicy and flavorful dish that features tofu and ground pork in a delicious sauce. To make this dish, you'll need firm tofu, ground pork, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, chili paste, garlic, and ginger.
Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces and fry them until they are crispy. In a separate pan, sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant, then add in the ground pork and cook until browned. Make your sauce with soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, and chili paste and pour it over the pork and tofu. Mix until well-coated and serve hot for a tasty and spicy meal.
Pro tip: For a creamy twist, add in some silken tofu to your dish.
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Chinese Shrimp and Pork Bites
Main Ingredients: Pork, Bacon, Shrimp, Celeriac, Carrot, Spring Onions
The History of Fermented Bean Paste
The Origins
Fermented bean paste has been a part of Chinese cuisine for centuries, with its origins dating back to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE). It was initially used as a way to preserve soybeans and quickly became a popular ingredient due to its rich umami flavor. Over time, different regions in China developed their own unique variation of fermented bean paste, each with its own distinct taste and texture.
The Process of Fermentation
The fermentation process for making bean paste can take anywhere from several months to even a few years. Whole soybeans are first boiled until they are soft, and then mashed into a paste. The paste is then mixed with salt and other ingredients, such as wheat flour and chili peppers, and placed in large earthenware jars to ferment. The jars are then sealed and left to ferment for several months, allowing the flavors to develop and intensify.
The Benefits of Making Your Own Fermented Bean Paste
Control Over Ingredients
By making your own fermented bean paste, you have complete control over the quality and type of ingredients used. You can opt for organic soybeans, control the amount of salt and spices added, and even experiment with different types of beans, such as black beans or broad beans, to create a unique flavor.
Customizable Flavor
Store-bought bean paste often has a one-size-fits-all flavor, but making your own allows you to customize the taste to your liking. You can adjust the amount of salt and spices to suit your taste buds, creating a paste that is perfectly balanced and uniquely your own.
How to Make Your Own Fermented Bean Paste
Ingredients
2 lbs. soybeans
1 cup salt
1 cup wheat flour
1 cup chili peppers
Instructions
Soak the soybeans in water for 12 hours.
Boil the soybeans for 2-3 hours until they are soft.
Mash the soybeans into a paste.
Mix in the salt, wheat flour, and chili peppers.
Transfer the mixture into a large earthenware jar and seal it.
Allow the mixture to ferment for 6-12 months.
Once the fermentation is complete, strain the paste and store it in a sterilized jar.
Final Thoughts
Making your own fermented bean paste may take time and patience, but the end result is well worth the effort. Not only will you have a delicious and versatile ingredient to use in your cooking, but you will also have the satisfaction of knowing that you made it yourself. So why not give it a try and add a homemade touch to your Chinese dishes?
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