| Introduction | | | | shapes and sizes, can be anti-adhesive, flat |
| The first time I ate Chinese food in the UK in | | | | bottom, and some may even be electric these |
| 1970, it was really unattractive. Everything was | | | | days, but I prefer my old wok made of carbon |
| served with a gloppy sauce and seemed to taste | | | | steel, with its big round base and a wood handle. |
| the same, because of the excessive use of mono | | | | This is referred to as a Pau wok. These are |
| sodium glutamate, which is supposed to taste | | | | available in Chinese supermarkets throughout the |
| good, but really is awful. Then in 1980 a new type | | | | country and are much less expensive than most |
| of Chinese restaurant has arrived, which provided | | | | other brands. It is an important task, but before |
| easier tasting Chinese cooking recipes. There was | | | | you are ready to cook with the wok, you need |
| one disadvantage however, these new type of | | | | to properly season it. You have to scrub with |
| restaurant's were much more expensive than the | | | | soap to remove all traces of machine oil, and dry |
| original cheap bland tasting ones. Therefore, I | | | | thoroughly. Place wok on the stove over low |
| thought how nice it would be to cook Chinese | | | | heat. Rub the inside of the wok with three |
| food in the comfort of my own home, but I had | | | | tablespoons of cooking oil using a paper towel. Let |
| no idea where to start until I started watching the | | | | the wok heat slowly for ten to fifteen minutes, |
| cooking network. | | | | then wipe the interior of it with a kitchen towel |
| The Food Network presented Chinese cuisine in | | | | again. The paper will come off black. Continue |
| an easily understandable manner, demonstrating | | | | coating, heating and cleaning off until the towel is |
| techniques and suggested different ingredients | | | | clean. Your wok is now ready for use. After |
| than you could by at your local grocery. I am | | | | using, wash in water without detergent and dry |
| thankful for this great show and what it brought | | | | thoroughly on low heat. You can also use a little oil |
| to the table in terms of Chinese Cuisine. | | | | if you wish. This should help the wok from rusting |
| To help you on your way to cooking Chinese | | | | out. If it develops rust, just rinse and repeat the |
| food in the comfort of your own home, I will | | | | above process. |
| briefly describe the basic utensils, ingredients and | | | | All woks need a wok support, especially if you |
| methods you need to know in order to produce | | | | have an electric stove. This keeps the wok stable |
| simple and tasty dishes. We hope this article | | | | if you use it for braising or frying. |
| inspires you to get in the kitchen and cook for | | | | You also need something to stir with - a spatula, |
| yourself. | | | | slice or a skimmer will do - for a metal wok metal |
| Equipment | | | | and a plastic or wooden stick for a no stick wok. |
| Although there are many tools and equipment | | | | Hopefully some of these simple utensils will help |
| you can buy, to start on the way to cook | | | | you on your journey to cooking better Chinese |
| Chinese food for yourself, you really need a | | | | Food. |
| couple good knifes and a wok. Woks come in all | | | | |