chinese food experts?

[etaeniura]

Ok, so my girl and I went to a chinese restaurant the other night. She wasn'r sure what she wanted, so she ordered "Dragon and Phoenix". In every other chinese joint I have been to, D&P is like general tso's chicken with some shrimp and extra veggies. Well, the waitress brings out this huge fried chicken breast with ham in the middle. We asked to make sure this was D&P, and she swore up and down that it was. My question is, which is the correct way to prepare Dragon and Phoenix? Discuss.....

P.S.-I know that chinese food in america is not like chinese food in china, and most of the stuff is just some made up concoction....

[RacerX]

Re: chinese food experts?

From
http://en.5eat.com/culture/cul-custom2.htm

"Chicken: In Chinese culture, chicken forms part of the symbolism of the dragon and phoenix. At a Chinese wedding, chicken's feet (sometimes referred to as phoenix feet) are often served with dragon foods such as lobster. Chicken is also popular at Chinese New Year, symbolizing a good marriage and the coming together of families (serving the bird whole emphasizes family unity)."

So it seems that D&P could be almost any kind of chicken/seafood dish.

[RacerX]

Re: chinese food experts?

From
http://www.chcp.org/banquet.html

"Nowadays, a wedding banquet starts with appetizers such as “dragon-phoenix” plates or cold plates which consist of various sliced meats, jellyfish, and various types of nuts shaped like dragons and phoenixes and served chilled. (Lobster in Chinese is literally “dragon shrimp” and in Chinese restaurants, chicken feet are referred to as “phoenix feet”). In a marriage, the dragon symbolizes the male role while the phoenix symbolizes the female role. (See Chinese Wedding Traditions for additional use of the Dragon and Phoenix symbolism.) This yin-yang dualism, opposite but not contradictory, is a key concept of taoism according to Professor George Lee of San Francisco State University. He and others believe that taoism and the yin-yang dualism prevades Chinese philosophy. Lee wrote that according to the Black Sect Tantric Buddhism, “man and woman form a family – the tao of marriage.” Therefore, having lobster and chicken at the dinner would represent balance in the new relationhip."

[VitaminG]

Re: chinese food experts?

"prevades"??

[lerxstcat]

Re: chinese food experts?

Even a standard-seeming dish like Kung-pao chicken can be prepared in many
different ways. You're best off asking them exactly what it is and how it's prepared if you want to avoid surprises.

[Miffy rules]

Re: chinese food experts?

I'm chinese, and I can't figure what ham means in this dish. Pigs don't seem to have anything to do with mythological animal. [img]graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img]

There's this cantonese dish called "Fight of Dragon and Tiger", which is made from cat and snake. Cat and snake, you read that right. [img]graemlins/puke.gif[/img]

[1trussell]

Re: chinese food experts?

Originally posted by Miffy rules:
I'm chinese, and I can't figure what ham means in this dish. Pigs don't seem to have anything to do with mythological animal. [img]graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img]

There's this cantonese dish called "Fight of Dragon and Tiger", which is made from cat and snake. Cat and snake, you read that right. [img]graemlins/puke.gif[/img]

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I'd try it.

[Newc]

Re: chinese food experts?

Originally posted by VitaminG:
"prevades"??

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">"relationhip" ?? [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

And it's been my personal experience that you never mix seafood with land-animals. Heck, if a cat won't eat Chicken and Tuna combined, you think I'm gonna eat it? [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
Chicken and Ham doesn't sound too nice either - two different types of animal - feathered and hairy [img]graemlins/puke.gif[/img]

Newc

[1trussell]

Re: chinese food experts?

There is nothing wrong with mixing your animals. The only thing better than meat and potatoes is meat and meat. [img]graemlins/drool2.gif[/img]

[Tekky]

Re: chinese food experts?

Originally posted by Travis:
There is nothing wrong with mixing your animals. The only thing better than meat and potatoes is meat and meat. [img]graemlins/drool2.gif[/img]

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Mr. Over-the-top-carb-counter-guy [img]graemlins/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Then again, being the self-proclaimed "Ultimate Carnivore", I find no fault in that statement.

[charvelguy]

Re: chinese food experts?

Well, traditional Chinese cusine can vary from region to region in the same mainland. I suppose it could be considered an inland dish and they used what is available...although, I would have been kinda suprised as well as it sounds more like Chicken Cordon Bleu without the cheese.

Recipie courtesy of recipeland

PHOENIX AND DRAGON

4 sl Smithfield ham (thin)
1 Whole Chicken breast
- boned and butterflied
4 Pieces fresh caul fat
1/4 c Water chestnut powder
-=OR=- Flour OR Cornstarch
4 c Peanut oil; for deep-frying


2 tb Peanut oil
2 Whole Garlic cloves; crushed
2 sl Fresh ginger root
4 Fresh water chestnuts
- peeled & sliced lengthwise
1/2 c Bamboo shoots
- sliced lengthwise
4 Whole scallions
- cut in 3-in pieces
1 tb Light soy sauce
1 tb Chinese rice wine
-=OR=- Dry Sherry
1/2 c Chicken broth
1 ts Cornstarch; dissolved in
1 tb Chicken broth; (cold)


LAY 2 SLICES OF HAM on 1 side of the butterflied breast. Refold the breast,
enclosing the ham. Lay the breast on a sheet of caul fat. Roll up tight.
The caul is sticky, so it needs nothing to seal it. Dust the surface with
water chestnut powder, flour or cornstarch. Shake off the excess. Heat the
oil in a wok to 350F (moderate). Slide the Chicken breasts into the oil, 1
by 1. When they have browned (about 5 minutes), remove 1 from the oil and
press it. If it feels mushy, it needs more cooking. Remove and drain the
Chicken. Slice the Chicken, crosswise diagonally, into 1/2-inch pieces.

VEGETABLE SAUCE: Heat the oil in a wok and flavor with Garlic and ginger.
Remove the Garlic and ginger and add the water chestnuts, bamboo shoots and
scallions to the wok. Stir-fry for 30 seconds, then add soy sauce, wine or
sherry, and Chicken broth. When the liquid boils, stir in the dissolved
cornstarch to thicken the sauce. Spread the sauce on a platter as a bed for
the sliced Chicken breast.

[VitaminG]

Re: chinese food experts?

Originally posted by Newc:
Chicken and Ham doesn't sound too nice either

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You've never tried Chicken Cordon Bleu? [img]graemlins/drool2.gif[/img]

[Ninja Guitar]

Re: chinese food experts?

I like me some Chinese food. The spicy stuff is especially great.

Unfortunetly for me, I have to watch out for the stuff cooked in peanut oil, since I have an allergy [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] .

[atomic charvel guy]

Re: chinese food experts?

ah yes, a field i am well versed in-
this is from the ever famous charvel central
dream job admin contest thread-

yes folks, the fine people at ASHLEY,ATOMIC, and Z. have ditched the ambulance chasing and transformed into
billionaire land developers. their first successful venture has yielded the following new phenomenon, guaranteed to transform strip malls in america everywhere.(capitalization
on the asian's poor driving skills is the key)
without further yapping, we proudly present-

"BLIND BAT CHANGS, COMBINATION, TRIPLE EXTRAVAGANZA, HOSPITAL, BODY SHOP, AND CHINESE RESTAURANT" (stitch your face,stuff your face, and get back in the race!!!)

we now offer hope for those unfortunates who cannot grasp the concept of driving. loved ones get immediate medical attention, the automobile receives the utmost in shoddy service, and whoever is not hurt can have a quickbite while awaiting the damage of the whole ordeal. ASHLEY handles the hospital, Z. handles the cars, and I am in charge of the kitchen.(burger flippin' wannabee diploma proudly displayed on the wall)our fine menu is under construction,
here's just a few of the fine dishes we will be offering-

1-crackling windshield beef, with sizzling "head on" vegetables
2-general's 3 ambulance chicken with sirens
3-princess guardrail pork with "busted up" bamboo shoots
4-spouting hydrant lobster with "wrong way" pea pods
in a delightful glass sharded cream sauce.

you gotta find the goods in every situation, good or bad.

once again, back to our program.......

[RacerX]

Re: chinese food experts?

Dude, I thought you *gave up* the drugs! [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]