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[The Wok]
[The Spatula]
[The Cleaver]
[Steamer]
[The Chinese Wire Strainer]
[The Sizzling Platter]
[The Clay Pot]
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The Wok
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The work is the most important utensil in the Chinese kitchen. Traditionally made of heavy iron or steel and equipped with two handles, this versatile, concave-shaped pan is used for stir-frying, deep-frying, pan-frying, steaming, and stewing. Its ancient design has been adapted for modern use with a metal ring, which the pan sits in on the burner. Even more contemporary are the stainless-steel
woks with flat copper bottoms that rest directly on the burner. These usually have a
single long handle similar to that on a skillet and are lighter and easier to use than the classic two-handled pan.
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| 9-Piece Wok Set |
| A. Turner |
| B. Ladle |
| C. 8" cooper wire strainer |
| D. Aluminum wok cover |
| E. 14" iron wok |
| F. Steam rack |
| G. 10" iron wok ring |
| H. Wok brush |
| I. Long chopsticks |
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The Spatula
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The Chinese spatula is specially designed for
stir-frying in the wok. The edge of the spatula bowl is rounded to fit the shape of the
pan, and the utensil itself is sturdier overall than the usual American one, to allow
stirring and tossing of large quantities of food.
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The Cleaver
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The Chinese cook does many things with a
cleaver: minces a garlic, cuts vegetables into delicate, fanciful shapes, peels fresh
water chestnuts. In the absence of the modern meat grinder, a pair a cleavers put to work
simultaneously will achieve the same results. Cleavers are available in various grades of
steel. The best all-purpose tool is made of high carbon steel, which takes a good edge and
is heavy enough to cut through bones. Stainless-steel cleavers are fine for cutting
vegetables but are too thin for heavy-duty chopping.
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Steamer
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You may prefer to buy a traditional bamboo
steamer, which is attractive enough to double as a serving tray for the steamed foods. It
is especially fun to own one if you regularly serve dim sum (either homemade or
purchased). The bamboo steamer has the additional asset of allowing more than one layer of
food to be steamed simultaneously - just stack a second basket on top of the first. These
steamers are placed above hot water in a wok.
| Different Steamers |
| A. 6" Steamer set |
| B. 8" Steamer set |
| C. 10" Steamer set |
| D. 12" Steamer set |
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The Chinese Wire Strainer
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This wide, flat wire strainer with a long bamboo
handle is very useful for removing deep-fried foods from hot oil or noodles from boiling
water. The most common size for home use is 6" diameter.
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The Sizzling Platter
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Sizzling-platter dishes, also called
"iron-plate" dishes, have recently become popular menu items in Chinese
restaurants. These dishes are named for the heavy iron platter that is used for serving.
The platter is heated to a high temperature, placed on its wooden tray, and delivered to
the table. When hot stir-fried food is spooned onto the platter, the sizzle is very
dramatic.
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The Clay Pot
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Clay-pot dishes are the Oriental version of the
American casserole. The main difference is that they are cooked on top of the stove rather
than in the oven. The design of the clay-pot assures good retention of heat, so that even
if dinner is delayed, the food stays piping hot.
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