Shuizhu facts for kids
| Chinese | 水煮 |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Sichuan cuisine |
Shuizhu is a super tasty Chinese dish that comes from the Sichuan province. Its name means "water-boiled meat," but don't let that fool you! It's packed with amazing flavors. This dish usually has tender meat, like beef or fish, cooked with lots of chili peppers and a special kind of oil.
What is Shuizhu?
Shuizhu is a famous dish from Sichuan cuisine, which is known for its bold and spicy flavors. The name "Shuizhu" (水煮) literally means "water boiled." Even though it's called "water boiled," the dish is actually quite spicy and oily, making it very flavorful.
You can find Shuizhu made with different kinds of meat. When it's made with beef, it's called "shǔizhǔròupiàn." If it's made with fish, it's known as "shǔizhǔyúpiàn." No matter the meat, it always has a lot of chili peppers and a special kind of vegetable oil.
How is Shuizhu Made?
Making Shuizhu involves a few special steps to make sure the meat stays super tender.
First, the meat is prepared with a little bit of starch and salt. This helps to keep it soft. Then, some boiled vegetables are placed at the bottom of a big serving bowl. These vegetables soak up all the delicious flavors.
Next, the prepared raw meat is quickly cooked in boiling water. It only stays in the hot water for about 20 to 30 seconds. This quick cooking method is called poaching. It's just enough time to cook the meat without making it tough. After poaching, the meat is drained and put on top of the vegetables in the serving dish.
Finally, a mix of minced dried chili, sichuan pepper, and minced garlic is spread over the meat. Then, vegetable oil is heated in a pan until it's very hot, almost smoking. This super hot oil is then poured right over the spices and meat. This makes the spices sizzle and release all their amazing smells and flavors!
Why is Shuizhu Special?
Shuizhu is special because of how it's cooked. Instead of stir frying the meat, which can sometimes make it tough, the meat is poached. Poaching helps the meat stay incredibly tender and juicy.
This dish offers a fantastic mix of tastes and feelings. You get the tender meat, the fresh crunch of the vegetables, and the hot, spicy kick from the chili peppers. Plus, the Sichuan pepper adds a unique "numbing" feeling to your mouth, which is a signature of Sichuan food. It's a truly exciting dish to try!
See also
In Spanish: Shuizhu para niños
