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THE COOKPATH KITCHEN

Preparation

Preparation: Gather and prepare ingredients before cooking. Examples include Tea eggs, Steamed flower rolls, Boiled corn. Open a full recipe for ingredients and the complete method.

Cool and crack the shells
Tea eggs

Cool and crack the shells

Lift the eggs out with a slotted spoon and cool in cold water until safe to handle. Tap gently to make fine cracks while keeping the shells on.

Look for

The shells are cracked without crushing the eggs.

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Peel and serve
Tea eggs

Peel and serve

Cool briefly, peel and serve. Refrigerate eggs that will not be eaten promptly; do not leave them in the tea at room temperature for an extended period.

Look for

Peeled eggs show marbled lines and fully set yolks.

See the full recipe ↗
Check the package and arrange
Steamed flower rolls

Check the package and arrange

Read the package steaming directions, ingredients and allergens. Arrange the rolls with gaps in a heatproof dish or steamer without stacking.

Look for

There is space for steam to circulate around the rolls.

See the full recipe ↗
Prepare the steamer
Steamed flower rolls

Prepare the steamer

Add enough water according to the steamer instructions and fit the rack and dish securely. Keep the water below the food and cover.

Look for

The rack is stable and the water stays below the rolls.

See the full recipe ↗
Remove safely and serve
Steamed flower rolls

Remove safely and serve

Turn off the heat and lift the lid away from your body. Use oven mitts or a plate lifter to remove the dish. Cool slightly before eating; do not touch hot rolls to test doneness.

Look for

The centers are hot through and your hands stay clear of steam.

See the full recipe ↗
Prepare the corn
Boiled corn

Prepare the corn

Remove dirty outer husks and silks. You may leave a few clean inner husks. Rinse under running water.

Look for

The corn and any remaining husks are clean.

See the full recipe ↗
Drain and cool briefly
Boiled corn

Drain and cool briefly

Turn off the heat, lift out the corn with tongs, drain and cool briefly before eating.

Look for

The corn is drained and cool enough to handle and eat.

See the full recipe ↗
Rinse the millet
Millet congee

Rinse the millet

Rinse the millet gently once in a fine sieve and drain.

Look for

The millet is clean without vigorous rubbing.

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Turn off and serve
Millet congee

Turn off and serve

Turn off the heat, ladle into bowls and let cool slightly before eating.

Look for

The tender grains are evenly suspended in the porridge.

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Wash and deseed
Steamed pumpkin

Wash and deseed

Wash the pumpkin, stabilize it on the board and cut it open. Remove the seeds and stringy flesh. Peel if appropriate for the variety, taking care with hard slippery skin.

Look for

The pumpkin is clean and deseeded and the board is stable.

See the full recipe ↗
Remove safely
Steamed pumpkin

Remove safely

Turn off the heat and open the lid away from you. Remove the dish with oven mitts or a plate lifter and let cool slightly before eating.

Look for

The pieces hold their shape but are soft inside.

See the full recipe ↗
Turn off and serve
Seaweed egg drop soup

Turn off and serve

When the egg is fully cooked, turn off the heat, ladle into bowls and cool slightly before drinking.

Look for

The soup contains fully cooked ribbons with no raw egg.

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Check the chilled tofu
Century egg and tofu

Check the chilled tofu

Check that the tofu is within its use-by date, has been kept chilled as labeled, and is ready to eat. If cooking is required, follow the package and cool safely first. Use a clean board, knife and plate.

Look for

The package is intact and the preparation follows its label.

See the full recipe ↗
Check and arrange the dumplings
Pan-fried dumplings

Check and arrange the dumplings

Check the ingredients, allergens and pan-frying directions. Put the oil in a nonstick frying pan and arrange the dumplings in one layer with gaps.

Look for

The dumplings are not stacked and package instructions have been checked.

See the full recipe ↗
Plate while hot
Pan-fried dumplings

Plate while hot

Transfer with a spatula or tongs and face the crisp bases upward. Let the very hot filling and juices cool slightly before eating.

Look for

The dumplings are intact with crisp bases and hot, cooked filling.

See the full recipe ↗
Peel, pit and soak
Longan and red date congee

Peel, pit and soak

Shell and pit the longan. Wash and pit the dates. Soak in separate bowls of clean water and set a 10 min reminder, then drain once softened.

Look for

Both fruits are pitted and slightly softened.

See the full recipe ↗
Rinse rice and check capacity
Longan and red date congee

Rinse rice and check capacity

Rinse and drain the rice into the cooker. Add the listed porridge water, longan and dates. Stay below the cooker’s maximum porridge line; divide proportionally into batches if necessary.

Look for

The ingredients are distributed evenly and below the porridge limit.

See the full recipe ↗
Stir and serve
Longan and red date congee

Stir and serve

After cooking ends, stir gently with a rice paddle, ladle into bowls and cool slightly before eating.

Look for

The grains and fruit are evenly distributed with no pits.

See the full recipe ↗
Roll, oil and coil
Flaky Chinese flatbread

Roll, oil and coil

Divide the dough into similar pieces sized for the pan and roll each thin. Spread about half the oil thinly across the sheets, sprinkle on the salt, roll into ropes and coil each rope.

Look for

The dough forms coils with evenly distributed oil and salt.

See the full recipe ↗
Relax and flatten the coils
Flaky Chinese flatbread

Relax and flatten the coils

Cover the coils and rest for 10 min, then roll gently into evenly thin pancakes. If they spring back strongly, let them relax longer rather than forcing them.

Look for

The flatbreads are evenly thin with visible layers.

See the full recipe ↗
Fill and fold
Flaky Chinese flatbread

Fill and fold

Divide the cooked egg, lettuce, ham and cheese among the flatbreads, roll or fold and serve warm.

Look for

The breads are crisp and pliable with evenly divided, safely prepared fillings.

See the full recipe ↗
Check cooked ingredients and chop
Wuhan hot dry noodles

Check cooked ingredients and chop

Use cooked alkaline noodles and cooked minced pork, not raw substitutes; check storage and reheating directions. Peel and mince the infusion garlic in a heatproof bowl, add the listed hot infusion water and stir with a spoon. Set a 10 min steeping check and use freshly. For each 250 g cooked noodles, stir and measure 30 ml garlic water including fine garlic bits; leave the remainder unused. Measure it separately from the hot water used later to thin sesame paste. Chop scallion, pickled beans and radish.

Look for

Cooked noodles and pork are confirmed, toppings chopped and freshly infused garlic water measured for the noodle weight.

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Rest and finish with sesame
Sweet and sour spare ribs

Rest and finish with sesame

Plate and set a 3 min rest reminder, then sprinkle with sesame. Wait until the rest is complete before eating; hot sugary glaze can burn.

Look for

The ribs have completed their safety rest and carry a glossy glaze.

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Arrange the fish and steamer
Steamed sea bass

Arrange the fish and steamer

Place ginger slices and scallion whites in and around the fish. Set it on a stable heatproof steaming plate or rack with steam circulation. Add water below the dish and bring to a steady boil; never test water temperature with your hand.

Look for

The dish is stable above the water with steady steam.

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Wash and briefly soak
Wood ear mushroom salad

Wash and briefly soak

Rinse the dried mushrooms under running water, put in a clean container with the soaking water and set a 45 min check. Keep total room-temperature soaking within 2 hours or soak under refrigeration for longer. Discard any that become slimy or smell abnormal.

Look for

The mushrooms are expanded and pliable without slime or an abnormal smell.

See the full recipe ↗
Trim and rinse
Wood ear mushroom salad

Trim and rinse

Discard the soaking water. Snip off hard bases, tear large pieces smaller, rinse under running water and drain.

Look for

The mushrooms are clean, trimmed and reasonably even in size.

See the full recipe ↗
Check and serve
Spinach and eggs

Check and serve

Plate promptly using clean utensils.

Look for

Set golden egg curds mixed with wilted spinach, with a little thin sauce.

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Check and serve
Scallion pan-fried tofu

Check and serve

Add the scallions, mix gently, and plate.

Look for

Golden tofu slices with softened green pepper and scallion, without pooled water.

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Check and serve
Eggplant, potato and pepper stir-fry

Check and serve

Turn off the heat, mix in the remaining half of the garlic, and plate.

Look for

Golden potato, soft eggplant and blistered pepper evenly glazed with garlic-speckled sauce.

See the full recipe ↗
Wash and prepare
Dry-pot cauliflower

Wash and prepare

Soak the cauliflower in water with the listed soaking salt and start a 20 min reminder, then discard that water, rinse and divide into small florets. Crush garlic and slice chili. Slice pork thinly on a separate board; wash hands and equipment after raw pork.

Look for

Cauliflower is clean and divided; pork and vegetables are handled separately.

See the full recipe ↗
Prepare produce and slurry
Mixed mushrooms in oyster sauce

Prepare produce and slurry

Trim and wash the mushrooms, slice shiitake about 0.5–1 cm thick and divide broccoli into small florets. Chop chili, bell pepper and scallion; prepare ginger. Mix starch with the listed slurry water.

Look for

Produce is prepared and starch dispersed in water.

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Check and serve
Mixed mushrooms in oyster sauce

Check and serve

Plate the mushrooms beside the broccoli and serve warm.

Look for

Three cooked mushrooms in a glossy light glaze beside intact cooked broccoli florets.

See the full recipe ↗
Prepare lettuce and garlic
Lettuce in oyster sauce

Prepare lettuce and garlic

Discard damaged lettuce leaves, wash each leaf and drain. Peel and mince the garlic.

Look for

Leaves are clean and garlic minced.

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Check and serve
Lettuce in oyster sauce

Check and serve

Spoon the hot sauce evenly over the drained lettuce.

Look for

Drained, wilted but intact lettuce leaves evenly topped with garlicky oyster sauce.

See the full recipe ↗
Check and serve
Soy-braised winter melon

Check and serve

Pour the hot sauce over the melon and serve warm.

Look for

Tender winter-melon pieces with translucent edges and a glossy brown coating.

See the full recipe ↗
Check and serve
Soy-braised eggplant

Check and serve

Turn off the heat and plate with clean utensils. Handle frying oil only after it has fully cooled.

Look for

Tender eggplant mixed with tomato, onion and pepper in a thick but flowing sauce.

See the full recipe ↗
Check and serve
Blistered green peppers

Check and serve

Plate the peppers with a little sauce and cool briefly before eating.

Look for

Wrinkled pepper strips with light blistering, a thin sweet-tangy glaze and unburnt garlic.

See the full recipe ↗
Soak the pods
Edamame with preserved plums

Soak the pods

Wash the pods, add soaking water and the listed salt, and set a 15 min check. Drain the soaking water afterward and rinse with clean water.

Look for

Pods are clean and soaking water discarded.

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Check and serve
Edamame with preserved plums

Check and serve

Lift out with a slotted spoon and cool slightly, then shell and eat the beans; discard pods and plum stones.

Look for

Cooked edamame pods drained with preserved plums, with tender beans; discard pods and stones when eating.

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Strain and cover the bowl
Steamed egg custard

Strain and cover the bowl

Stir the water into the eggs, strain into a shallow heatproof bowl and skim large bubbles. Cover with a heatproof plate or loose foil to keep out condensation; do not use non-heatproof plastic wrap.

Look for

The mixture has few bubbles and a heatproof cover protects it from drips.

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Remove safely and cool briefly
Steamed egg custard

Remove safely and cool briefly

Turn off the heat, open the lid away from you and remove the bowl with mitts or a plate lifter. Uncover and cool slightly before eating.

Look for

The custard is set throughout with a smooth surface and fully cooked center.

See the full recipe ↗
Seal into half moons
Chive and egg pockets

Seal into half moons

Put filling on one half of each wrapper, leaving a clean rim. Fold, pinch securely and flatten gently without pushing filling into the seam.

Look for

The seams are sealed and the pockets have even, modest thickness.

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Plate and cool briefly
Chive and egg pockets

Plate and cool briefly

Lift out with a spatula and cool briefly before eating; the filling may be hotter than the crust.

Look for

The pockets are intact with golden crusts and fully heated filling.

See the full recipe ↗
Roll and divide the layers
Sesame shaobing

Roll and divide the layers

Roll the dough into a rectangle, spread the paste and roll from a long side. Divide into similar portions, fold and pinch closed. The original batch makes about seven breads; adjust the count with the ingredient batch.

Look for

Each portion has layers with the paste enclosed.

See the full recipe ↗
Coat with sesame and flatten
Sesame shaobing

Coat with sesame and flatten

Brush one side lightly with drinking water, press into sesame seeds and gently roll into evenly thick rounds.

Look for

The sesame adheres and the breads are evenly thick.

See the full recipe ↗
Remove and cool briefly
Sesame shaobing

Remove and cool briefly

Remove with a spatula, cool briefly and break one open to inspect the layers.

Look for

The inside has cooked layers without sticky raw dough.

See the full recipe ↗
Divide and roll wrappers
Handmade boiled dumplings

Divide and roll wrappers

Roll the dough into a rope and divide into similar portions, about twenty wrappers for the original batch. Dust lightly and roll each round slightly thicker in the center than at the rim. Adjust wrapper count when scaling, rather than making them thicker.

Look for

The wrappers are similar in size with thicker centers and thin rims.

See the full recipe ↗
Fill and seal
Handmade boiled dumplings

Fill and seal

Place a modest amount of filling in the center, keep the rim clean and fold and pinch shut. Avoid overfilling. Refrigerate waiting dumplings and raw filling in batches and keep raw and cooked utensils separate.

Look for

The dumplings are securely sealed with no exposed filling.

See the full recipe ↗
Drain and plate
Handmade boiled dumplings

Drain and plate

Once cooked, lift out with a slotted spoon, drain and serve on a clean plate. Cool slightly before eating the hot filling.

Look for

The dumplings are cooked and intact with little cooking water on the plate.

See the full recipe ↗
Shape the shumai
Pork shumai

Shape the shumai

Place a modest amount of filling in each wrapper and gather the sides, leaving the top open and flattening the base. Divide optional shrimp across the tops, cutting them if necessary rather than overfilling.

Look for

The shumai stand upright with open tops and contained filling.

See the full recipe ↗
Arrange with space in the steamer
Pork shumai

Arrange with space in the steamer

Line the steamer with perforated steaming paper and leave gaps between shumai. Add sufficient water below the basket and bring it to a boil before setting the basket on top.

Look for

There are gaps for steam and the shumai do not sit in water.

See the full recipe ↗
Remove clear of the steam
Pork shumai

Remove clear of the steam

Turn off the heat, lift the lid away from you and remove the basket with mitts. Cool briefly before eating, especially if hot aspic juices are inside.

Look for

The shumai are intact, cooked through and not soggy underneath.

See the full recipe ↗
Divide dough and spread paste
Pan-cooked flatbread

Divide dough and spread paste

Gently press and divide the dough into equal portions, about four breads for the original batch. Roll out and divide the paste evenly among them, spreading thinly and leaving a little border.

Look for

The paste forms an even thin layer on similar-sized sheets.

See the full recipe ↗
Roll the layers and flatten
Pan-cooked flatbread

Roll the layers and flatten

Cut from the center to the edge, roll around the slit into a cone and pinch closed. Press down from the tip and roll to about 3 mm thick, sized to fit the pan.

Look for

The breads are evenly thin, contain their paste and fit flat in the pan.

See the full recipe ↗
Remove and loosen the layers
Pan-cooked flatbread

Remove and loosen the layers

Remove with a spatula, cool briefly, then gently loosen or cut the layers. The inside should be cooked and soft rather than wet and raw.

Look for

The layers are distinct, golden outside and cooked and soft inside.

See the full recipe ↗
Plate and cool briefly
Oat and egg pancakes

Plate and cool briefly

Transfer to a clean plate, cool briefly and cut to serve.

Look for

The pancake holds its shape, is cooked through and has soft oats.

See the full recipe ↗
Boil the sauce and layer noodles
Green bean braised noodles

Boil the sauce and layer noodles

Add the listed braising water and bring to a boil. Ladle about half the liquid into a heatproof bowl. Loosen noodles over the vegetables without packing them into a thick clump, leaving enough liquid below to steam.

Look for

The noodles lie loosely over the vegetables with sauce below.

See the full recipe ↗
Check rice wine and rice balls
Small rice balls in sweet rice wine

Check rice wine and rice balls

Check the storage, use-by date and cooking directions for unfilled small rice balls and fermented rice. Rinse optional goji berries. This soup contains fermented rice; check its ingredients and alcohol information.

Look for

The ingredients are suitable for use and the rice balls are small and unfilled.

See the full recipe ↗
Soak noodles and season pork
Laoyou pork rice noodle soup

Soak noodles and season pork

Weigh dry flat rice noodles, about 3–5 mm wide, according to the current ingredient list: the baseline two portions use 250 g before soaking, not hydrated weight; follow the scaled list when portions change. Follow the chosen package’s complete soaking and draining method; if it requires separate precooking, finish that and drain first. Softening is not cooking. Thinly slice pork, mix with cooking wine, starch and about one-third of the soy sauce, cover and refrigerate. Wash hands and tools after raw pork.

Look for

The noodles are softened and the evenly thin pork is kept refrigerated.

See the full recipe ↗
Rest and serve
Laoyou pork rice noodle soup

Rest and serve

Turn off the heat and set a 3 min rest reminder. Serve after the pork has completed its safety rest.

Look for

The pork is cooked and rested and the noodles are tender.

See the full recipe ↗
Mold and chill until set
Pea-starch jelly

Mold and chill until set

Carefully pour into the shallow container. Let the initial steam subside briefly, then refrigerate promptly and set a 2 hr first check. Wait until fully cold and firm enough to unmold, chilling longer if needed; do not leave it cooling at room temperature for hours.

Look for

The jelly is fully chilled, firm and resilient enough to hold its shape.

See the full recipe ↗
Drain well and add aromatics
Shaanxi hot oil noodles

Drain well and add aromatics

Drain noodles and vegetables thoroughly into the heatproof bowl and mix with soy and vinegar. Pile scallion, garlic and chili on top, avoiding pooled water that can splatter when oil is added.

Look for

The aromatics sit on the noodles with no visible pool of water.

See the full recipe ↗
Layer over rice and cook
Salted pork and greens rice

Layer over rice and cook

Rinse and drain rice into the cooker and add the listed rice water. Layer pork and stems on top without stirring. Use a suitable mixed-rice program within the fill limit, adjusting water to the rice and appliance instructions.

Look for

Rice, water and toppings are in place for an appropriate program without overfilling.

See the full recipe ↗
Check rice storage and prepare
Yangzhou fried rice

Check rice storage and prepare

Use rice cooled promptly after cooking and refrigerated, ideally cooled within one hour. Do not use rice left at room temperature for an extended period. Dice carrot and luncheon meat, separate chopped scallion whites and greens and beat eggs. Thaw shrimp under refrigeration as labeled.

Look for

The rice’s storage is suitable, ingredients are cut and shrimp is thawed.

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Serve over hot rice
Taiwanese braised pork rice

Serve over hot rice

Serve hot rice in bowls, spoon over pork and sauce and add an optional braised egg. Refrigerate leftover pork and rice promptly in separate containers.

Look for

Tender braised pork and sauce cover the hot rice.

See the full recipe ↗
Blot surface droplets
Pepper-salt corn

Blot surface droplets

Spread corn in a strainer or on a tray lined with kitchen paper. Blot with fresh paper until no droplets remain, leaving only slight dampness for the starch to stick. Never tip wet kernels into hot oil.

Look for

No droplets or pooled water remain on the corn.

See the full recipe ↗
Preheat and prepare the eggplant
Garlic roasted eggplant

Preheat and prepare the eggplant

Preheat the fan oven to 200°C according to its instructions. Wash and dry the eggplant, prick several holes with a fork, place on a rimmed tray and brush the skin evenly with oil.

Look for

The dry eggplant has small punctures and an even coating of oil.

See the full recipe ↗
Open safely and add sauce
Garlic roasted eggplant

Open safely and add sauce

Set the tray securely and hold the eggplant with tongs. Split lengthwise while keeping the base joined, directing steam away from your face. Loosen the flesh with a fork and spread on the sauce; do not handle the hot eggplant with bare hands.

Look for

The eggplant opens like a boat with sauce spread across the loosened flesh.

See the full recipe ↗
Remove and cool briefly
Garlic roasted eggplant

Remove and cool briefly

Turn off the oven, remove the tray with mitts and lift onto a plate with a spatula. Cool briefly and scoop out the flesh with a spoon.

Look for

The opened eggplant holds its shape with garlic, chili and cumin on top.

See the full recipe ↗
Uncover, toss and serve
Cauliflower stir-fry

Uncover, toss and serve

Open the lid away from your face, toss and let excess moisture evaporate briefly before plating. Avoid breaking up the florets or scorching the pan dry.

Look for

The tender-crisp florets are intact without a pool of water.

See the full recipe ↗
Rest before serving
Hand-torn cabbage stir-fry

Rest before serving

Turn off the heat and plate, setting a 3 min rest reminder before eating to complete the whole-cut pork safety rest.

Look for

Tender cabbage and pork slices are lightly coated in sauce without pooled water.

See the full recipe ↗
Prepare corn and slurry
Pine nut and corn stir-fry

Prepare corn and slurry

Drain corn and, if using, wash and finely dice the carrot. Mix starch with the measured slurry water and set the toasted pine nuts aside for the end.

Look for

Corn is drained, carrot is finely diced and the slurry is evenly mixed.

See the full recipe ↗
Plate promptly
Zucchini and eggs

Plate promptly

Turn off the heat and plate promptly. Tomato, if used, adds a little reddish juice; avoid prolonged cooking that dries the eggs.

Look for

Zucchini and egg curds are evenly distributed, with softened tomato if included.

See the full recipe ↗
Prepare ribs and fermented beans
Steamed spare ribs with black beans

Prepare ribs and fermented beans

Use ribs already chopped into small pieces, remove loose bone fragments and blot dry rather than repeatedly washing raw meat. Soak the fermented beans for 5 min, drain and chop lightly; mince ginger and garlic.

Look for

Ribs are surface-dry, fermented beans lightly chopped and aromatics minced.

See the full recipe ↗
Remove safely and rest
Steamed spare ribs with black beans

Remove safely and rest

Turn off heat, open the lid away from you and remove the dish with mitts or a lifter. Set a 3 min safety rest, then garnish with optional scallion and toasted sesame. No hot-oil finishing pour is needed.

Look for

The ribs sit in black-bean sauce with a little optional scallion and sesame.

See the full recipe ↗
Remove and rest
Rice powder steamed pork

Remove and rest

Remove with mitts or a plate lifter, keeping clear of steam. Set a 3 min safety rest before eating; the potato underneath may remain very hot.

Look for

Rice-coated pork remains arranged over tender potato with an even coating.

See the full recipe ↗
Coat and control oil temperature
Sweet and sour pork

Coat and control oil temperature

Coat pork evenly in coating starch and shake off excess. Heat frying oil in a dry deep pan to about 175°C using an oil thermometer, with generous headroom. Do not heat until smoking or allow water into the oil.

Look for

Pork pieces have an even starch coating and the oil in the dry pan is controlled.

See the full recipe ↗
Prepare wings and aromatics
Soy-braised chicken wings

Prepare wings and aromatics

Blot wings dry and make shallow slashes in thick areas without rinsing raw chicken. Slice ginger, crush garlic and cut leek. Divide wine into a slightly larger blanching share and a smaller braising share. Do not use wings with spoilage odors.

Look for

Wings are dry with shallow slashes and the aromatics and wine are divided.

See the full recipe ↗
Finish with sesame and scallion
Soy-braised chicken wings

Finish with sesame and scallion

Plate the wings with a little pan sauce, sprinkle toasted sesame and chopped scallion and cool briefly before eating.

Look for

Glossy wings are finished with white sesame and green scallion.

See the full recipe ↗
Rest and serve
Red-braised pork belly

Rest and serve

Remove from heat and set a 3 min safety rest before eating. For this large batch, promptly refrigerate uneaten portions in shallow containers rather than leaving the whole pot on the stove.

Look for

Intact braised pork pieces are coated in sauce with optional quail eggs and tofu skin.

See the full recipe ↗
Serve with the sauce
Braised chicken with mushrooms

Serve with the sauce

Turn off the heat and serve with the sauce in a deep dish. Take care with chicken bones and cool briefly before eating.

Look for

Chicken, shiitake, green pepper and optional potato are evenly coated in broth.

See the full recipe ↗
Prepare pork and vegetables
Twice-cooked pork

Prepare pork and vegetables

Choose pork with its skin already cleaned; never press meat onto a hot pan by hand. Slice ginger, dividing equally between boiling and frying, and tie the scallions. Slice optional peppers and green garlic, using separate raw-meat and vegetable work areas.

Look for

Pork skin is prepared and vegetables are separately ready.

See the full recipe ↗
Finish and serve
Twice-cooked pork

Finish and serve

Plate with clean utensils and serve warm.

Look for

Slightly curled pork slices in a red bean-paste glaze with just-soft green garlic and peppers.

See the full recipe ↗
Finish and serve
Ginger-scallion chicken

Finish and serve

Toss with ginger-scallion oil and serve promptly; refrigerate promptly if waiting.

Look for

Deboned cooked chicken in coarse strips, evenly dressed with minced ginger and scallion.

See the full recipe ↗
Soak under refrigeration
Spiced braised beef

Soak under refrigeration

Cover beef with cold water in a clean container and refrigerate, starting a 1 hr reminder. Drain and discard soaking water afterward; do not leave raw meat soaking at room temperature.

Look for

Beef is soaked under refrigeration and the water discarded.

See the full recipe ↗
Rest then chill promptly
Spiced braised beef

Rest then chill promptly

Remove temperature-verified beef from the heat and start a 3 min rest timer. After it finishes, divide with clean utensils into small portions in shallow containers and refrigerate promptly. Do not tightly wrap large hot pieces or leave them at room temperature. Keep the refrigerator at 4°C or below and seal once chilled through.

Look for

Beef is promptly chilled in small shallow portions until cold through.

See the full recipe ↗
Finish and serve
Spiced braised beef

Finish and serve

Once chilled through, slice across the grain with a clean knife, serve only what is needed and keep the rest refrigerated.

Look for

Chilled beef shank sliced across the grain into intact firm slices with a brown braised exterior.

See the full recipe ↗
Cool promptly
Sichuan mouthwatering chicken

Cool promptly

Use clean tongs to transfer cooked chicken to potable ice water; cool quickly enough to handle, then remove and drain. If not dressing and eating promptly, divide into small portions in shallow containers and refrigerate until chilled through; avoid prolonged room-temperature soaking.

Look for

Cooked chicken is drained for prompt serving or promptly refrigerated.

See the full recipe ↗
Toast peanuts and cut aromatics
Sichuan mouthwatering chicken

Toast peanuts and cut aromatics

Toast peanuts in a dry pan over low heat until fragrant, stirring often; cool, skin and crush. Slice remaining scallions; mince and halve the garlic; wash and chop coriander.

Look for

Peanuts are fragrant without burning and aromatics ready.

See the full recipe ↗
Rest off the heat
Pepper and pork stir-fry

Rest off the heat

After confirming the pork temperature, turn off heat, plate and start a 3 min rest reminder. Rest at least 3 minutes before eating.

Look for

Coated thin pork slices with slightly softened, wrinkled peppers and no excess water.

See the full recipe ↗
Prepare tofu and aromatics
Mapo tofu

Prepare tofu and aromatics

Check tofu and cooked salted-egg labels and storage directions. Move tofu to a clean plate and cut into roughly 2.5–3 cm cubes. Peel the cooked egg, keeping and crushing only its white. Mince ginger and garlic and slice optional chilies.

Look for

Tofu cubes are intact and cooked egg white and aromatics ready.

See the full recipe ↗
Finish and serve
Mapo tofu

Finish and serve

Gently plate tofu with its minced-pork sauce; this is the salted-egg-white version rather than the traditional bean-paste preparation.

Look for

Intact tofu cubes with minced pork and salted egg-white bits in flowing reddish-brown sauce.

See the full recipe ↗
Soften noodles and prepare aromatics
Minced pork and glass noodles

Soften noodles and prepare aromatics

Soak vermicelli in clean water with a 20 min check, following package directions and pliability rather than time alone. Drain when softened. Mince ginger, garlic and optional scallion.

Look for

Noodles are pliable and drained; aromatics prepared.

See the full recipe ↗
Finish and serve
Minced pork and glass noodles

Finish and serve

Add a little optional scallion, toss gently and plate.

Look for

Moist vermicelli coated with fine pork crumbles and reddish-brown sauce, with optional scallion.

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Soak mushrooms and prepare
Chicken with shiitake mushrooms

Soak mushrooms and prepare

Rinse dried shiitake, then soak in the listed water until pliable, adding a little more if needed to immerse. Keep total room-temperature soaking within 2 hours or refrigerate for longer; discard slimy or off-smelling mushrooms. Quarter them and strain the soaking water through a fine sieve. Chop ginger and garlic and separate scallion whites from greens.

Look for

Mushrooms are pliable without abnormal signs, soaking liquid strained and aromatics ready.

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Finish and serve
Chicken with shiitake mushrooms

Finish and serve

Plate with clean utensils and serve warm.

Look for

Chicken-leg pieces and shiitake in a glossy brown coating with scallion greens and a little thick sauce.

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Prepare the vegetable bed and shrimp
Covered-pan shrimp with ginger and onion

Prepare the vegetable bed and shrimp

Cut onion and slice ginger into a pan bed. Clean and drain shrimp, arrange over it and add wine; avoid deep piles and divide into pans for larger quantities. Separately chop scallion and garlic.

Look for

Shrimp is spread over onion and ginger with wine in the pan.

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Finish and serve
Covered-pan shrimp with ginger and onion

Finish and serve

After checking doneness, transfer shrimp to a clean plate with dip separately; watch for sharp shells.

Look for

Cooked shrimp with pearly opaque flesh and red shells, with scallion-garlic dip in a separate dish.

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Arrange shrimp and sauce
Garlic shrimp

Arrange shrimp and sauce

Check garlic-sauce ingredients and storage directions. Drain butterflied, deveined raw shrimp, open flat on a heatproof plate and distribute sauce over the flesh. Do not substitute cooked shrimp and assume the same timing.

Look for

Shrimp lies flat with garlic sauce evenly over the flesh.

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Prepare prawns and aromatics
Oil-braised prawns

Prepare prawns and aromatics

Use prawns with sharp points trimmed, backs opened and veins removed. Drain and pat dry. Slice scallions; divide ginger in half, slicing one half and mincing the other.

Look for

Prawns are surface-dry and aromatics ready.

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Prepare and dry fish
Red-braised fish

Prepare and dry fish

Use cleaned fish, make shallow cuts on both sides and pat its surface dry. Chop ginger, garlic and dried chili; separately wash and chop optional scallion and coriander away from raw-fish utensils.

Look for

Fish is surface-dry and aromatics separate from serving garnishes.

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Soak ahead under refrigeration
Laba mixed-grain congee

Soak ahead under refrigeration

Rinse adzuki beans and peanuts, cover separately with water and refrigerate with a 8 hr check. About 3 hours before planned cooking, separately rinse and refrigerate-soak the three grains and lotus seeds. Do not substitute red kidney beans into this method.

Look for

Beans, peanuts, grains and lotus are appropriately soaked under refrigeration.

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Finish and serve
Laba mixed-grain congee

Finish and serve

Stir, ladle into bowls and cool slightly before eating; promptly refrigerate leftovers in shallow containers.

Look for

Opened grains, tender adzuki and lotus, and dates and longan in thick but flowing porridge.

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Measure and rinse rice
Plain rice congee

Measure and rinse rice

Measure the raw rice volume in a measuring cup, rinse and drain. Put rice and listed water in a pot with ample boiling headroom.

Look for

Rice is clean, the rice-water ratio defined and pot roomy.

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Finish and serve
Plain rice congee

Finish and serve

Turn off heat, stir and ladle into a bowl, taking care with the hot porridge.

Look for

Very soft, partly opened rice grains in smooth white congee that flows slowly.

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Prepare the main ingredients
Pork and century egg congee

Prepare the main ingredients

Measure rice by volume, rinse and place in the cooker with porridge water. Cut pork into small pieces on a separate board without rinsing raw meat, coat with oil and add. Peel and chop century eggs, shred ginger and add; wash after raw pork.

Look for

Main ingredients are prepared below the cooker safe porridge fill line.

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Finish and rest off the heat
Pork and century egg congee

Finish and rest off the heat

Mix in blanched lettuce, herbs and seasoning and heat through, then stop heating or switch off as the cooker instructions direct; do not lift a hot inner pot. Start a 3 min rest timer and serve after it finishes.

Look for

Soft congee holds cooked pork, century-egg pieces and wilted lettuce with herbs mixed through.

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Soak, trim and weigh
Snow fungus and lotus seed sweet soup

Soak, trim and weigh

Soak snow fungus as labeled, trim its hard base, rinse, drain and only then weigh the listed amount; it is not a dry weight. Separately soften lotus seeds and check dates are pitted. Keep total room-temperature fungus soaking within 2 hours or refrigerate longer soaks; discard slime or abnormal odors.

Look for

Fungus is prepared by hydrated weight, lotus softened and dates pitted.

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Finish and serve
Snow fungus and lotus seed sweet soup

Finish and serve

Ladle into small bowls and cool briefly; for chilled service, promptly refrigerate in shallow containers until cold through.

Look for

Soft snow-fungus pieces, tender lotus and dates in lightly syrupy soup with optional goji.

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Prepare tomato and egg
Tomato and egg soup

Prepare tomato and egg

Wash and cut tomato. Combine scallion, ginger and garlic to the listed total in your preferred balance, then mince. Beat egg in a separate bowl and wash hands and utensils after raw egg.

Look for

Tomato is cut, aromatics minced and egg evenly beaten.

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Finish and serve
Tomato and egg soup

Finish and serve

After verifying the egg is cooked, season lightly with salt, add sesame oil, stir and serve.

Look for

Soft tomato chunks and set egg ribbons in hot soup with a little sesame oil.

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Season and rest off the heat
Corn and pork rib soup

Season and rest off the heat

After verifying the meat center, season lightly and add scallion, then stop heating and remove from the heat source. Start a 3 min rest timer and serve after it finishes.

Look for

Tender ribs, corn sections and soft carrot in broth topped with scallion.

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Rest off the heat before serving
Pork rib, yam and corn soup

Rest off the heat before serving

After the meat center is verified and heating ends, remove the pot from the heat source and start a 3 min rest timer. Serve after it finishes.

Look for

Intact tender yam, corn, carrot and cooked ribs in broth with a little scallion.

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Prepare cooked accompaniments first
Poached pork meatball soup

Prepare cooked accompaniments first

First make aromatic water: put the listed infusion peppercorns, scallion and ginger in a heatproof bowl, add the listed hot drinking water and press aromatics with a spoon, never hands in hot water. Set a 10 min steeping check, strain and cool. Weigh only 80 g cooled strained liquid per 500 g pork; top up a shortfall with drinking water and leave any excess unused. Add no salt. Separately soak and fully cook wood ear, dried daylily and vermicelli as labeled; do not line bowls with fresh daylily, raw wood ear or merely softened noodles. Wash and chop herbs.

Look for

Accompaniments are fully cooked, aromatic water strained, cooled and weighed, and cooked-food utensils clean.

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Check and cut enoki
Enoki mushroom soup

Check and cut enoki

Keep enoki refrigerated as labeled and check the use-by date. Trim the base, separate, wash and cut into manageable lengths. Keep raw mushrooms away from ready-to-eat food and wash hands and equipment afterward.

Look for

The base is removed and the mushrooms are clean and separated.

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Prepare ribs and mandarin peel
Dried mandarin peel and rib soup

Prepare ribs and mandarin peel

Choose culinary dried mandarin peel and rinse as labeled. Use ribs already cut into small pieces rather than forcing an ordinary knife through bone. Prepare a covered bowl designed for double-boiling.

Look for

The peel is culinary-grade and clean and the rib pieces fit the soup bowl.

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Remove safely and rest
Dried mandarin peel and rib soup

Remove safely and rest

Turn off the heat, remove with mitts or a bowl lifter and set a 3 min rest reminder before eating. Set the hot bowl securely before opening it.

Look for

The ribs have rested and are visible with peel in the clear broth.

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Prepare yam, pumpkin and dates
Yam and pumpkin chicken soup

Prepare yam, pumpkin and dates

Wear food-safe gloves to peel and cut yam and use chestnuts with shell and inner skin removed. Wash, seed and cut pumpkin and wash and pit dates. Handle raw chicken separately and do not rinse it; wash hands and clean the board and knife afterward.

Look for

Yam and pumpkin pieces are even, dates pitted and raw chicken separated.

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Serve and cool briefly
Yam and pumpkin chicken soup

Serve and cool briefly

Turn off the heat, ladle into bowls and cool slightly before eating, watching for bones.

Look for

The golden soup contains chicken, yam, chestnuts and pitted dates.

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Rest off heat and serve
Cumin beef

Rest off heat and serve

After checking doneness, turn off heat and plate. Set a 3 min rest reminder and eat after it is complete.

Look for

Beef and pepper are evenly mixed and the meat has completed its safety rest.

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Drain and rest
Crispy pork strips

Drain and rest

Drain on a clean rack and set a 3 min rest reminder before eating. Keep raw-meat plates and tongs away from the finished food. Handle oil only after cooling and do not store partially cooked pork.

Look for

The strips are golden and intact, fully cooked and rested.

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Check product and toppings
Sour and spicy fern starch noodles

Check product and toppings

Use commercially packaged edible fern-starch noodles and follow storage and cooking directions. Wash and chop any scallion, garlic and chili on clean equipment for ready-to-eat toppings.

Look for

The product directions are clear and toppings clean and chopped.

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Cool before eating
Sugar-crusted taro

Cool before eating

Spread on a clean plate and let both sugar coating and taro centers cool to a comfortable eating temperature.

Look for

The white sugar crust is dry and the taro inside tender.

See the full recipe ↗
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