Chinese sesame paste, made with toasted sesame, is not the same as tahini, which is made with untoasted sesame. It is available in Asian grocery stores. It can be replaced here with the same amount of peanut butter, or a mixture of 1/4 cup (60 ml) tahini and 1 tbsp (15 ml) toasted sesame oil.
Chili crisp is a spicy Asian condiment made with chillies, garlic, fried onions and sometimes other ingredients such as peanuts and sesame seeds, all preserved in oil. It can also include Sichuan peppercorns and ginger. It has a delightfully crunchy texture and intense flavour, which adds spiciness and umami to recipes. It can be used to uplift noodle, meat and vegetable dishes, among others. A kitchen staple, it keeps for up to 1 year in the refrigerator. You can find it among the Asian products of your grocery story, but it’s also easy to make at home.
Shaoxing rice wine is a very popular cooking wine in Chinese cuisine. It has an alcohol content of about 4% and is used as a flavour enhancer. It is slightly acidic but very different from vinegar. It can be found in most Asian grocery stores.
To save time preparing this recipe, use RICARDO brand Chicken Broth, available at IGA.
