Flavorful Origins
★ 8.1 · 2019 · 12m · Documentary
Embark on a delightful journey through the culinary traditions of China and uncover the stories of the people who create and cherish its dishes.
Episodes
1. Olives12m · In Chaoshan, olives are preserved in distinct ways and appear in a variety of dishes, including fresh juices and meat soups.
2. Hu Tieu13m · A quintessentially Chaoshan staple and a taste of home for many, kway teow (rice-noodle strips) can be stir-fried or wrapped around tasty fillings.
3. Marinated Crab13m · Garlic. Cilantro. Chili pepper. The marinated raw-crab dish varies in style from Puning to Shantou, but it's always fresh and tender.
4. Brine11m · Cinnamon, anise and galangal are among the spices that go into Chaoshan brine, a key ingredient in braised offal, goose head and hot pot.
5. Puning Bean Paste12m · Long ago, migrants from the north brought soybeans to Chaoshan, now home to a unique bean paste featured in many dishes, from spinach to steamed fish.
6. Preserved Radish12m · An age-old Chaoshan tradition, the preserved white radish can put an innovative spin on various dishes, from spare ribs to stir-fried squid.
7. Seaweed12m · To bring out umami and impart the flavor of the sea, the versatile ingredient seaweed can be stir-fried, deep-fried, roasted and sprinkled on soup.
8. Oysters11m · Steamed, marinated, stir-fried, grilled or dried. A classic in Chaoshan cuisine, the oyster is traditionally cultivated in the town of Jingzhou.
9. Chaozhou Mandarin Oranges11m · A regional product, the Chaozhou orange can be deep-fried or dried and preserved to make sweet treats, while its peel can be used for zesty seasoning.
10. Lei Cha12m · In the Hakka tradition, tea leaves are cooked with fresh herbs, then ground with sesame seeds or peanuts in a mortar to make lei cha, a fragrant drink.
11. Tofu Cake13m · Garlic, fat, liquor and fermented bean curd. The traditional tofu cake is a baked pastry boasting a rich taste profile and centuries of history.
12. Beef Hot Pot12m · Expert butchers in Chaoshan sharpen their knives to slice premium beef into perfect, marbled cutlets that are juicy, tender, and ready for hot pot.
13. Beef Meatballs12m · Inheriting the techniques of previous generations, makers of Chaoshan beef meatballs dedicate hours of hard work to achieve perfect texture and flavor.
14. Yusheng13m · Enjoyed with vegetables and dipping sauce, yu sheng (freshly sliced raw fish) is a delicacy with a long history in Chaoshan.
15. Meal of Fish12m · Salted, boiled and air-dried in bamboo baskets, the mackerel scad is among many seafoods that make for a chewy, flavorful and simple main dish.
16. Fish Sauce13m · Indispensable to Chaoshan cooking, fish sauce is traditionally made by salt-curing and fermenting hilsa herring, but new methods have cropped up.
17. Fish Ball and Wrapped Fish13m · In Chaoshan, the lizardfish is deboned and pounded to make surimi (fish paste) -- a versatile ingredient with a uniquely smooth and elastic texture.
18. Mussels12m · Harvested from Nan'ao Island's shores, mussels are a summer delicacy that can be cooked with basil, folded into spring rolls and added to fried rice.
19. Galangal13m · Galangal arrived in Chaoshan from Southeast Asia a long time ago, imbuing meat dishes like chicken and lamb with a fragrant punch.
20. Chinese Motherwort11m · Known for both taste and nutritional value, Chinese motherwort is blanched and added to soup and congee as a breakfast favorite.More Like This
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