Chinese Celery Cooking Guide | Generated by AI
Question: How can I cook with celery (芹菜) in Chinese food?
Answer:
Celery, known as 芹菜 (qíncài) in Chinese, is a popular ingredient in Chinese cuisine. Chinese celery differs from Western celery: it has thinner stalks, a stronger, more aromatic flavor (pungent when raw, mellow and sweet when cooked), and is rarely eaten raw. It’s commonly used in stir-fries, soups, salads, and fillings for dumplings or buns. The leaves are nutritious (higher in vitamins than stalks) and can be used in dishes or soups.
Common Ways to Use Celery in Chinese Cooking
- Stir-frying: The most popular method. Quick high-heat cooking keeps it crisp-tender and enhances its flavor.
- Cold salads: Blanched and tossed with seasonings for a refreshing appetizer.
- Soups and stews: Adds aroma and freshness.
- Fillings: Chopped for dumplings, meat pies, or zhajiangmian noodles.
Popular Chinese Dishes with Celery
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Stir-fried Celery with Pork (芹菜炒肉)
A classic home-style dish, especially in Beijing. Thinly sliced pork is marinated, stir-fried, then combined with celery for a savory, crunchy result. -
Stir-fried Celery with Beef (芹菜炒牛肉)
Tender beef slices (velveted for juiciness) paired with crisp celery in a light sauce. -
Celery with Dried Tofu (芹菜炒香干)
Vegetarian favorite: Five-spice pressed tofu stir-fried with celery for a fragrant, protein-rich dish. -
Stir-fried Celery with Shrimp or Chicken
Seafood or poultry adds protein; quick stir-fry with garlic and ginger. -
Sichuan Celery Salad (凉拌芹菜)
Blanched celery tossed with garlic, chili oil, vinegar, and sesame oil for a spicy, refreshing cold dish. -
Dry-fried Beef with Celery (干煸牛肉丝)
Spicy Sichuan version with dried chilies.
Basic Stir-fry Tips for Celery
- Wash and cut into 2-3 inch pieces on the diagonal.
- Peel stringy fibers if using thicker Western celery.
- Blanch briefly (30-60 seconds) in boiling water for brighter color and tenderness, then shock in ice water.
- Stir-fry on high heat with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce/oyster sauce.
- Cook quickly (2-4 minutes) to keep it crisp.
Simple Recipe: Basic Stir-fried Celery with Pork
Ingredients (serves 2-3):
- 400g Chinese celery, cut into segments
- 200g pork (thinly sliced)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-inch ginger, sliced
- 1-2 dried chilies (optional)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- Salt and oil
Steps:
- Marinate pork with soy sauce, cornstarch, and a splash of wine for 10 minutes.
- Heat oil in wok, stir-fry pork until cooked; remove.
- Add garlic, ginger, chilies; stir-fry briefly.
- Add celery; stir-fry 2-3 minutes until bright green.
- Return pork, season with oyster sauce and salt. Stir-fry 1 more minute.
Serve with rice. Adjust for vegetarian by using tofu.
Celery pairs well with strong flavors like garlic, chili, and meats, balancing dishes with its crunch and aroma.
References:
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[Make This Classic Celery Dish That Beijingers Love the Beijinger](https://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2022/12/14/make-classic-celery-dish-beijingers-love) - Sichuan Celery Salad (涼拌芹菜) - It’s My Dish
- Recipe: Celery Stir-Fried with Pressed Tofu（芹菜炒香干）
- Beef and Celery Stir Fry - Omnivore’s Cookbook
- Try Something New With This Stir-Fry Chinese Celery Recipe - The Spruce Eats