| With the 2008 Beijing summer Olympics only weeks | | | | 1/3 c. reduced-sodium soy sauce |
| away, many are gearing up to head out to China. | | | | Szechuan hot chili oil |
| One of the biggest problems we face when visiting a | | | | 2 c. cooked brown rice |
| new country are the food choices. I will have an | | | | 1/4 c. toasted sesame seeds |
| answer to your problems. Some who have never | | | | Chopped fresh cilantro |
| tasted Chinese food and are going to China may be | | | | Steam broccoli, zucchini, and carrots separately until |
| in for a shock, as Chinese cooking is not like any | | | | crisp-tender. Reserve. |
| other type of food out there. Most of it uses many | | | | In a wok or large heavy skillet, heat vegetable and |
| different sauces including soy sauce and sweet and | | | | sesame oils over medium heat, add onion, reduce |
| sour sauce. The main cooking consists of vegetables, | | | | heat to low and cook until onion is soft. Add sweet |
| meats and noodles or rice. | | | | pepper and continue cooking until onion is lightly |
| Here is a quick recipe to make SZECHUAN FRIED | | | | golden. Add garlic, soy sauce, hot chili oil to taste |
| RICE WITH VEGETABLES. This should help those | | | | (please be quite generous), reserved vegetables, and |
| who have never tasted Chinese food get a quick | | | | rice. |
| experience of what China cuisine has to offer: | | | | Increase heat to medium-high and stir-fry until |
| 1/2 lb. broccoli, flowerets separated and stems sliced | | | | vegetables and rice are heated through, about 3 to 4 |
| 1 med. size zucchini, diagonally sliced | | | | minutes. Serve sprinkled with sesame seeds and a |
| 2 med. carrots, diagonally sliced | | | | little cilantro. Pass additional chili oil and cilantro at the |
| 2 tbsp. vegetable oil | | | | table. Serves 4 as main course; 6 to 8 as side dish. |
| 2 tbsp. Oriental-style sesame oil | | | | NOTE: To taste sesame seeds, place them in a small |
| 1 sm. onion, halved and sliced | | | | heavy skillet over moderate heat. Stir until seeds are |
| 1 sm. red or green sweet pepper, cut into thin strips | | | | golden. Remove from heat and pour onto a plate to |
| 1 tbsp. minced or pressed garlic | | | | cool. |