3 Beijing-Inspired Recipes to Cook at Home

Chinese cuisine is a smorgasbord of intricate, rich flavors and techniques passed down through generations. Now it's the perfect time to explore and recreate some of these mouthwatering dishes at home. Here's three Beijing-inspired recipes that you can easily prepare in your kitchen!

Beijing Roast Duck

Beijing Roast Duck, or Peking Duck, is a renowned dish from Beijing, celebrated for its thin, crispy skin. It's a festive dish, ideal for special occasions, like the October holiday.

Ingredients:

One whole duck (five lbs or more)
1 tbsp of honey
1 tbsp of five spice powder
1/2 cup of Chinese black bean sauce (豆豉酱 Dòuchǐ jiàng)

Instructions:

1. Clean the duck thoroughly and pat dry. Rub the duck with salt and Chinese five-spice powder.

2. Place the spiced duck in a plastic bag and put in the refrigerator to marinate for four-six hours.

3. Preheat your oven to 175°C. Meanwhile, remove the duck from the fridge and let it come to room temperature.

4. Place the duck on a roasting rack and roast for about two hours, or until the skin is crisp and golden.

4. Brush the duck with honey and roast for another 10 minutes.

5. Carve the duck and serve with black bean sauce and pancakes.

Zhajiangmian (Beijing Noodles with Soybean Paste)

Zhajiangmian is a classic Beijing noodle dish. It's a satisfying, hearty meal perfect for a cozy October holiday at home.

Ingredients:

300g of fresh noodles (切面 Qiēmiàn)
200g of ground pork
1/2 cup of sweet bean sauce (甜面酱 Tiánmiànjiàng)
2 tbsp of soy sauce
2 cloves of garlic, minced
A variety of fresh vegetables, thinly sliced

Instructions:

1.Brown the ground pork in a pan over medium heat, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant.

2.Add the sweet bean sauce and soy sauce to the pan, stir well, and simmer for about 10 minutes.

3. Boil the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

4. Serve the noodles topped with the pork mixture and assorted fresh vegetables.

Beijing Style Mooncakes

Mooncakes are a traditional Chinese pastry, and they make a delicious dessert to enjoy long after the holiday!

Ingredients:

200g of cake flour
100g of golden syrup
50g of lard
1 tsp of lye water
Red bean paste for filling

Instructions:

1. Mix the cake flour with the golden syrup, lard, and lye water. Knead until smooth, then let rest for about two hours.

2. Roll the dough into small balls, flatten them, and place a spoonful of red bean paste in the center of each. Wrap the dough around the filling and seal.

3.Place the mooncakes on a baking sheet and bake at 180°C for about 20 minutes, or until golden.

4.Let the mooncakes cool before serving.

These Beijing-inspired dishes are sure to make your Chinese October holiday  a delightful culinary journey. Happy cooking and happy holidays!

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Images: Irene Li, 下厨房, Unsplash