Top 10 traditional dishes of Chinese cuisine

Introduction to Chinese cuisine

Chinese cuisine owes its notoriety to the variety of food it offers as well as the harmony that is sought after in the dishes. The mix of flavors is reflected in the combination of vegetables and meat/fish or recipes based on rice or fried noodles with sauces and spices.

A cuisine with regional influences

The cultural richness of the country can be felt in the culinary arts, so much so that we speak of cuisines in the plural to qualify the country's gastronomy. It is divided into four main groups according to the regions of origin, which are themselves divided into eight subgroups. Depending on the region, the influences are diverse: it is sometimes said that the south is the region where sugar is very present, the west is the region of chilli pepper, the east is marked by sour dishes, and the north is known for its salty dishes.

Top 10 Traditional Chinese Dishes

1) Pork in sweet and sour sauce

A fruity and slightly sweet sauce accompanies the meat.

2) Noodles skips

Traditional dish that comes in a multitude of recipes.

3) Shuang Jiao yu tou

Fish served in a spicy sauce.

4) Steam ravioli

Singular baking method giving a unique flavor to this wheat-based dough.

5) Cantonese rice

Typical popular dish composed of sautéed rice and some vegetables as well as tofu.

6) Szechuan fondue

Pieces of different meats to be dipped in a broth seasoned with many herbs and spices.

7) Niango

Sticky rice cake eaten before ceremonial meals.

8) Nems

Shrimp, chicken or pork is the most popular dim-sum (small bites steamed or fried).

9) The Peking duck

Often accompanied by small vegetables, this dish is appreciated in China.

10) Beef with onions

Recipe for beef in sauce which testifies to the almost systematic use of vegetables in Chinese dishes.

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 Hand eczema: how to cure it?

Approximately 250 million american people suffer from eczema, i.e. nearly 5% of the population. Among its locations: hands. What are its causes? How can it be treated? The health answers of Dr. Antoine Badaoui, dermatologist-allergist, member of ResoEczéma, and the practical advice of Clementine Joachim, certified sophrologist, consultant at Yoburo.

Eczema is the second most common skin disease after acne. It concerns 30% of dermatological consultations.

Hand eczema: what causes it?

Chronic eczema can be of genetic origin, linked to atopic dermatitis (editor's note: also called atopic eczema) with a preferential location on the hands, says Dr. Antoine Badaoui, dermatologist-allergist. It can also be allergic eczema due to perfume, a preservative ... In glove wearers such as housekeepers, hairdressers, eczema can be allergic or irritating. »

Hand Eczema: Recognizing the Symptoms

Whether atopic or allergic, the symptoms of hand eczema are similar.

It manifests itself by red patches that peel and scratch, by blisters that ooze and cracks," says Dr. Badaoui. Most of the time, eczema of atopic origin has very limited borders, unlike allergic eczema, where the borders are rather "map-like" and less well defined. »

How is the diagnosis made?

Hand eczema is diagnosed by a clinical examination. Patch tests (also called patch tests) are used to determine whether or not it is an allergy. The test patches consist of applying, on the back and under occlusion, thirty allergens that correspond to the European standard battery, possibly supplemented by other batteries depending on the patient's questioning.

"To carry out these patch tests, three appointments at 48-hour intervals are necessary each time, says the dermatologist. The first is for placing the patches on the back, the second is to remove them and the last is for the final reading. If the test patches prove negative, an allergy to the tested molecules can be eliminated. »

Itching: limiting scratching thanks to sophrology

Sophrology, as a psycho-corporal method, apprehends the human being in all its richness: it takes into account its corporal, mental and emotional dimensions. 

"The organ "skin" being from the same embryonic stock as the nervous system, stress has consequences on the organism, which can manifest itself by the appearance of eczema", explains Clémentine Joachim, a sophrologist. Sophrology can therefore be a valuable recourse against "eczema attacks". "In particular, thanks to the exercise of the fans which can reduce itching", specifies the sophrologist.

Starting position :

• Stand with enough space around you, feet parallel and separated by the width of your pelvis.
• Your back is straight, your arms and shoulders are relaxed, and your head is in line with your spine.
• Close your eyes and pay attention to the rhythm of your breathing.
• The course of the exercise (which is to be repeated 3 times)
• Raise both arms in front of you horizontally while breathing in deeply through your nose.
• Hold your breath and shake your hands like fans (hence the name of the exercise!), slowly bringing them closer to your chest. Give meaning to your movements by imagining letting go of the sensations of scratching and tingling. By shaking your hands, free them from the unpleasant sensations of itching.
• Once both hands are close to the chest, release the arms along the body by blowing gently through the mouth.
• Resume natural breathing, and take a moment to observe the sensations in your hands. Linger on the sensations on your palms and fingers. Become aware of all the sensations related to the movements of your hands.
• Repeat twice, always giving more meaning to your gestures: shake your hands and imagine that the unpleasant sensations of scratching escape from your hands, that the itching slips from your fingers to the ground, to free and purify your skin. 
• After exhaling through your mouth, carefully observe and identify your feelings: do they change? In what way? Do you feel lighter in your hands? More freshness?More fluidity in your movements?
• Finish each time by becoming aware of your physical, mental and emotional feelings.

 You can practice this exercise whenever you feel like scratching. Remember to coordinate your movements with your breathing (inhalation time, air retention time, exhalation time), and always give more meaning to your practice. 

How do you treat hand eczema?

Whether it is atopic dermatitis, chronic hand eczema, or allergic eczema, the treatment is the same.

During flare-ups, a corticoid-based cream should be applied once a day until two or three days after the symptoms disappear," says Dr. Badaoui. Since inflammation can be latent under the skin, it is essential to stop the process. »

This treatment should be repeated for each eczema flare-up or continued 2 to 3 times a week for prevention.

The corticoid cream-based treatment should be completed by applying a moisturizing cream several times a day to restore the skin barrier," adds the dermatologist. It is necessary to choose the greasiest creams such as Cicalfate, Eucerin, Cicaplast...".

When the corticoid cream is not enough

When hand eczema does not respond or no longer responds to corticosteroid cream treatment, "oral treatment with alitretinoin is used," says the doctor. This is a naturally occurring, endogenous hormone related to vitamin A that has anti-inflammatory effects.

"The treatment lasts between 3 and 6 months at a rate of one tablet per day, explains the dermatologist. It requires monitoring of the liver and cholesterol levels and, for women, taking effective contraception. "Alitretinoin can cause serious deformities in the unborn child in case of pregnancy, as well as miscarriage.

Can it be prevented?

It is important to avoid all irritating factors that can accentuate hand eczema, and in case of allergy, to remove the allergen of course.

Dr. Antoine Badaoui's advice to limit flare-ups:

• Wash your hands briefly with warm or cold water and soap and if possible avoid hard water.  
• Do not use dishwashing liquid to wash your hands, it is irritating.
• Rinse hands well and pat dry.
• Wear gloves when washing dishes, cooking certain irritating foods such as tomato, lemon... and for cleaning.

Covid-19 and hand eczema: what precautions?

The epidemic of Covid-19 requires to apply the barrier gestures of which the frequent washing of the hands is apart because it represents an effective rampart against the propagation of the virus.

But, when one suffers from eczema, frequent hand washing weakens the skin, which is often dry and bruised. It is therefore recommended to use 'soap-free' soaps, special soaps for atopic skin, or washing oils. And, if possible, opt for fragrance-free products. Once the hands have been washed, dry them gently without rubbing.

As for the use of hydroalcoholic gel, it can cause tingling and burns. It is thus essential to rehydrate the skin by applying an emollient cream.

Wearing latex or vinyl gloves is not recommended because they encourage perspiration and maceration of the skin, which can aggravate hand eczema.

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•  Lips

 Sport: 5 reflexes to prevent ankle sprain

Well known to sportsmen and women, sprains are painful and force us to limit all physical effort for several weeks. Find out how to avoid it.

All it takes is a poorly cushioned or abrupt movement to the side to awaken severe ankle pain. A lateral sprain is a well-known problem among athletes.

Pain is the first warning sign, sometimes followed by swelling, oedema, or hematoma. It may be very severe at the time of shock, then decrease a few minutes later, and then gradually return.

This is why it is important to stop exercising immediately instead of forcing, otherwise, the situation will get worse. Apply ice, a soft restraint, and consult a doctor to check for fractures and to prescribe pain medication.

Beforehand, you can apply certain preventive measures to limit the risks:

Warm up

Each sport activity must be preceded by a muscular and articular warm-up. These movements gently stretch the ligaments and prepare them for the effort. Rotate your ankles for a few minutes and start the body off with a little jog.

Don't force

When the body tells you it hurts, you have to listen to it. Taking fatigue into account is essential to avoid accidents. Respect your rhythm, go progressively, and don't go over the limits. Take regular breaks to let the body recover and to avoid strain on the joints.

Equip yourself

We are sometimes tempted to use running shoes for another sport, but it is important to choose equipment adapted to each activity to prevent sprains. If one of your ankles is weaker than the other, ask your pharmacist for advice to help you choose an appropriate support bandage.

Adapt yourself

Take into account the environment in which you find yourself. The slippery or unstable ground can lead to falls and trauma. The clinging ground can block your foot and cause false movements.

Follow the doctor's advice

In the event of a sprain, it is essential to take good care of the sprain to prevent a recurrence. Follow the recommendations to the letter and do not return to the sport before the date advised by your doctor.

Strengthening exercises are sometimes necessary to help the ankle recover from the shock, remember to practice them regularly.

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 Pizza or quiche, how to choose?

They are simple, varied, complete and appreciated by all. Is pizza more caloric than quiche? More satisfying? Which one is more difficult to prepare at home? Focus on their particularities, nutritionally and in the kitchen. 

What are the nutritional differences between quiche and pizza?

On the quiche side 

• .Caloric intake. 259 calories per 100 g on average, rather of lipidic origin since brought by eggs, fresh cream, and butter (or margarine) of the shortcrust pastry. It is more for the versions with bacon, cured ham, cheese... less for those with vegetables.

.Protein content. Low: 8%, because in the basic recipe it is almost only eggs that provide it. Quiches containing meat, fish, or cheese logically show higher intakes (10%), but this remains low.

.Lipid profile. The fat content is high (15 %), half of the fatty acids are mostly saturated since they come from cream, eggs, and butter, 30 to 35 % from mono-unsaturates, and 10 to 15 % from polyunsaturates (mainly omega-6). Only the quiches with fatty fish, nuts... bring more omega-3. There is also some cholesterol (67 mg/100 g).

.Satisfying power. Acceptable, mainly linked to the relatively high percentage of fat which slows down the assimilation of carbohydrates and gastric emptying. It becomes interesting when there is meat or fish - protein - and vegetables - fiber - in the system.

.Vitamins and minerals. Their presence is negligible, except in the versions based on vegetables (which provide various minerals) or cheese (calcium).

On the pizza side

• .Caloric intake. 226 calories per 100 g on average, mainly provided by the carbohydrates in the dough (flour) and the lipids in the cheese. However, the energy intake varies considerably depending on the filling, for example, rich for a "4 kinds of cheese", light for a "4 seasons".
• 
  
• .Protein content. Low: 10%. These come mainly from the cheese because the quantities of meat (ham, minced steak...) or fish (tuna, anchovies...) are often negligible.
• 
  
• .Lipid profile. Of the total fat content (8% on average), almost half is saturated fatty acids, mainly from cheese, while 40% is monounsaturated fatty acids and only 10% is polyunsaturated (mainly omega-6), rather provided by olive oil. Only pizzas topped with oily fish provide additional omega-3.
• 
  
• .Satisfying power. Moderate, if we consider the relatively high energy intake: the carbohydrates provided by bread dough are quickly assimilated and the protein intake is low. In addition, there are few vegetables and therefore little fiber (2.2 g/100 g).
• 
  
• .Vitamins and minerals. There are few, with the exception of antioxidants (lycopene) from tomato purée and calcium (195 mg/100 g) from cheese.
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• 
  

• What are the differences on the kitchen side?

  On the quiche side 

  
  

  • .Difficulty. The dough may tend to soak while, at the same time, the top of the machine may dry out.
  • .Preparation time. 20 to 25 min, if you make the dough, 10 min otherwise. Cooking time is long: 45 min at 180 °C and requires monitoring.
  • .Variations. Quiches can be prepared with vegetables, cheese, fish or meat, and/or with seeds...
  • .Preservation. 2 days in the fridge, flat in an airtight box, taking care that the dough does not soak too much. It can be frozen.
  • 
    

On the pizza side

 .Difficulty. It all depends on how you prepare the dough. For the rest, it's ultra-easy: you put the tomato purée, then the filling, and in the oven!

.Preparation time. 1 h 30 with a home-made paste, 10 min if you buy it. On the cooking side, it's quick: 15 min at 250 °C.

.Variations. Infinite! You can garnish it with raw or cooked vegetables, all kinds of cheeses, meat, fish, eggs... For tomato refractories, there are white pizzas topped with fresh cream.

.Conservation. Two days in the refrigerator, well wrapped so that it does not dry out. It also freezes easily.

Pizza or quiche? The pros' opinion

Why choose pizza?

Contrary to popular belief, pizza - whether homemade or pizzeria-made - is not a greasy product! But to make a balanced meal, it lacks protein and fiber," says Raphaël Gruman. That's why it's better to opt instead for those filled with lean meat (ham, ground beef, etc.) or fish (tuna, etc.) and vegetables that satisfy the body's needs and satisfy its appetite. "You should avoid those made with cheeses or cold cuts that are too rich in fat. It has the advantage of being ready in record time... provided you make your dough in advance or buy it.

Why choose quiche? 

Along with eggs, cream and butter, quiche is rich in lipids, especially saturated fatty acids and cholesterol. There's no question of adding more with bacon, raw ham, smoked salmon, or cheese!" Raphaël Gruman recommends. We opt for versions with vegetables, lean meats, or fish (tuna, diced chicken...) to increase the intake of basic proteins and fibers. 

Read also:

• The Ayurvedic Diet: The Wisdom Diet
• Good reasons to eat squash
•  Vegetarian Diet