Selection of raw material
Chinese cuisine uses a rich variety of raw materials, which may include chicken, duck, fish, pork, seafood, game, eggs, vegetables, soybean products, and fruits and nuts. Chefs are very particular about the selection and preparation of the ingredients used. For example, the Beijing Roast Duck can be considered the best only if the chefs have available the force-fed ducks raised on a particular duck farm near Beijing.
Combination of ingredients
Besides selection, Chinese chefs also pay attention to the combination of main ingredients and auxiliary materials. They see to it that the combination appeals to the eye as well as to the palate. Shrimps, for example, are often stir-fried with cucumber so that the color combinations are pleasing to the eye. Similarly, bean curd and greens, fish fillet and tomato sauce, chicken and mushroom all make good combinations. In Chinese cooking, meat and vegetables are often cooked together so that they not only look good and taste delicious but are nutritious as well.
