Oriental cooking

All sort of Middle East and Asian dishes.

Satay-spiced beef with bean sprouts

There's a special kind of magic in a good stir-fry, and this one delivers it in spades. Tender slices of beef fillet get a quick marinade in soy, sesame oil, and cornstarch, which keeps them silky and juicy in the wok. From there, a warm blend of curry powder and satay sauce brings gentle spice and nutty depth, while a splash of dry sherry and a touch of brown sugar round everything into a glossy, savory finish. Crunchy bean sprouts stirred in at the end add freshness and bite.

Peking duck

The key to good Peking duck is the elaborate preparation that takes place before cooking. The bird should be thoroughly plucked and cleaned. Then it must be wiped, preferably with a bit of gin and hung to dry. Let the air flow through the bird for several hours. Keep the mouth open, a small cardboard tube works well.

Japanese pantry

Japanese food and cooking evolved influenced mostly by the particular geography the country has. Meat does not make a large contribution to the culinary history; fish, seaweed, rice, and soy do.

The art of dining Chinese style

Chinese dining traditions go back thousands of years. The elaborate customs are an interesting mixture of practicality, superstition and social inertia. Westerners aren't expected to know the details but, as with learning a bit of the local language, it always helps. Following them will make for an enjoyable new experience and bring pleasure to a gracious host.
Oriental cooking