What goes into the perfect snack? Is it that tasty combination of sweet and salty? Or maybe that perfect bite-sized portion that gives you just the right amount of energy between meals? And how about that satisfying crunch? We’ve rounded up a few Chinese snack recipes that tick all these boxes, and the homemade aspect means that you know exactly what ingredients are going in them.
Whether you want to add a little multicultural diversity to your regular snack offering, or you want make something that takes you back to your own childhood, these five Chinese snacks are great to keep on hand!
Pork Jerky (Ròu Gān)
Ròu gān, or Bak Kwa in Malaysian, is a sweet and salty dried meat snack similar to Western jerky. The minced pork is marinated, spread thin, baked, brushed with honey and sesame seeds and then cut into strips of chewy goodness.
Here is a recipe from ChinaSichuanFood to make your own Chinese Pork Jerky: http://www.chinasichuanfood.com/bak-kwa-chinese-pork-jerky/
Marbled Tea Leaf Eggs (Cháyè Dàn)
This is an interesting version of your regular boiled egg. The beautiful pattern on these Chinese tea eggs comes from the spiced tea and soy sauce marinade seeping through the cracked eggshells. Check out Steamy Kitchen’s recipe for Chinese Marbled Tea Eggs:http://steamykitchen.com/2147-chinese-tea-eggs-recipe.html
Sesame Beancurd Crisps (Qiao Guo)
These crispy bite-sized snacks can be flat or twisted, if you have a little more time and dexterity. There is also a sweet version, called dan san 蛋散, which is made with egg and coated in sugar syrup, but the salty qiao guo are a little lighter. They are also a lot of fun to make with the kids!
Try making this recipe from WendyinKK for Chinese Sesame Beancurd Crisps: http://wendyinkk.blogspot.ca/2012/01/sesame-beancurd-crisps-cny-crispies-3.html
Scallion Pancakes (Cōng Yóubǐng)
Scallions, or spring onions, are a common ingredient in Chinese cooking. They add a tangy freshness to the pan-fried bread. Dip these savoury pancakes in soy sauce or a ginger dipping sauce for extra flavour.
Here’s a recipe for homemade Chinese Scallion Pancakes from The Kitchn: http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-scallion-pancakes-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-107405
Almond Cookies (Xìngrén bǐng)
Last but not least, the lightly sweetened almond cookie. Flavored with almond extract and an almond (sliced or whole) in the middle, these Chinese biscuits take less than half an hour to make and even less time to eat!
Try making this crispy sweet treat at home with Table for Two’s recipe for Chinese Almond Cookies: http://www.tablefortwoblog.com/chinese-new-year-almond-cookies/
