Chef Notes

Chinese broccoli is a dark green, leafy vegetable with thick stalks and a hearty texture. Its leaves are broad and slightly bitter. Its flavor resembles a combination of broccoli rabe and bok choy.

Steaming is a process where food is cooked by the vapor from boiling water. It is one of the healthiest cooking methods because it doesn’t add any additional fat, and allows food items to retain their nutrients. Vegetables and fish are the best candidates for this cooking technique.

Steaming can be done with specific steaming equipment, or with just a pot of boiling water. Steamers come in a variety of materials, including metal, glass, and bamboo. A steamer has two compartments: one for boiling water, and a second perforated layer for the food. Steaming food by placing it directly in water is equally effective for steaming vegetables, through the direct contact may drain nutrients from them.

Oyster sauce is a dark brown, viscous condiment made from cooking oysters and soy sauce. It is commonly used in Asian cuisines as the salty component of a dish.