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Chinese cuisine is one of the most popular cuisines in India. The five major cuisines that constitute the Chinese foodscape include Sichuan, Shandong, Cantonese, Huaiyang, and Northeastern. Each of these cuisines has its subjective methods, ingredients, and recipes. The amalgamation of such distinctive cuisine has led to the formation of Chinese cuisine in totality. Chinese cuisine is also considered one of the world's oldest cuisines and has been a source of inspiration for many other cuisines in the world.
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Also Read: Top 10 Chinese Restaurants in Kormangala
In India also, Chinese cuisine became instantly popular and loved upon its introduction. However, a common misconception that a lot of people have about Chinese cuisine is that it mainly consists of non-vegetarian dishes. Let’s look at some delectable Chinese vegetarian dishes which are unmissable.
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* Schezwan Tofu And Cauliflower
Schezwan tofu and cauliflower is a tempting vegan Chinese delicacy that is prepared by using peppers, salads, green onions, vegetable stock, soy sauce, white vinegar, Hoisin sauce, and some ketchup. The main ingredient is tofu which is immersed in a mixture of soya sauce, tomato ketchup, and Hoisin sauce. The green onions help in incorporating an addictive crunch in the dish that is already quite flavourful, because of the use of different sauces, and vegetable sauce along with white vinegar.
* Chilli Paneer
Chilli paneer is one of the most popular Chinese recipes in India among vegetarians. It is a multi-flavoured and multi-textured dish that is prepared by first frying blocks of paneer that are covered with cornstarch until they become crispy. These are then cooked in a very rich and thick gravy that is made from some indulgent Chinese sauces like chilli sauce, soya sauce, and some sweet sauce. Lots of onions and capsicum are also sautéed along with paneer. On the top people like to put some sesame seeds. The well-cooked pieces of paneer drenched in flavourful sauces make for the most perfect party appetiser.
* Mushroom Manchurian
Mushroom is often acclaimed for its health benefits and having a texture that resembles very much to chicken. This is a very easy snack that can be prepared in just 20 minutes. One would need different types of ingredients like red chilli sauce, soy sauce, chopped onions, garlic paste, vegetable oil, all-purpose, flour, white vinegar, to me ketchup, chilli flakes, ginger, corn, flour, capsicum, vegetable oil, salt, and mushroom of their choice.
One has to make a nice mixture with the help of finely chopped mushrooms, ginger, garlic, onions, capsicum, spring, onions, and green chilli. In a bowl, one has to prepare a mixture of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, black pepper and some ginger garlic. In this one has to add some water and then add vegetables to make a thick mixture. Small balls of this mixture have to be deep-fried to make Manchurian balls.
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* Hot And Sour Soup
Hot and sour soup is a quick and low-effort appetiser that is not just easy to make but is also very healthy as compared to other recipes on the list. It is made from different types of vegetables like green beans, carrots, buttons, mushrooms, ginger, garlic, vegetable sauce, capsicum, shredded cabbage, and any other thing that one would like to add. The vegetables are first sautéed with some vegetable oil and then one has to add some water to create a thick stock. In this stock, one can add soy sauce, chilli sauce, and some vinegar. To make the consistency even better, one can add a bit of cornstarch and keep stirring everything until it becomes perfectly cooked.
* Honey Chilli Potato
Honey chilli potato is a quick and easy recipe that is chewy, soft, and melts in the mouth right away. Thin slices of potatoes are tossed in a sweet sauce made from honey, chilli sauce, and some soya sauce. One can also add a bit of white vinegar and lots of sesame seeds to the dish. Making it with some capsicums and spring onions gives it an even more elaborate texture. Honey chilli potato can be served as an appetiser at parties as it's not too sweet and perfectly balanced when it comes to its spices.
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* Spring Rolls
Spring rolls are crunchy, fulfilling, succulent, and savoury snacks that are filled with stuffing made from capsicum, onions, carrots and cabbages. This is a delicious snack that can be modified as per one's choice as one may choose any stuffing that they would like to add. The stuffing is carefully assorted inside rice papers that are a little damp and then sealed back after adding the stuffing. One can simply pan-fry their spring rolls or deep-fry them as per their choice.
