Chinese Cooking Technique: Thicken

"Thicken", or "Thickening" is a very common technique used in both Chinese restaurants and household kitchens. It is very easy to prepare, but if not used properly, can really mess up the presentation. Below is a brief description of "Thickening". You can learn more about other Chinese cooking techniques in the Techniques section of our website.

Technique: Thicken

Thicken, or thickening, refers to the use of cornstarch as a part of the process of preparing a Chinese dish. Cornstarch is a very commonly used condiment in Chinese cooking. When used properly, it can really make your presentation stand out. Below are two important pointers:

  • Follow the recipe as given

    Too much cornstarch can make the dish too pasty. Too little would make it too thin. After cooking a particular dish the first time, you can use the original recipe as a guide to increase or decrease the amount of cornstarch to add to your dish to your liking the next time (even though we are confident that you'll love the recipes we have on our website :).

  • Watch the timing and stir appropriately

    Do not add cornstarch (and water) until the dish is cooked. You must also stir gently and quickly once it is added to the dish, as it tends lump up if not stirred immediately.

    • Pretty simple, right? Now, you can check out our recipes section and find a recipe to practice it on (wink).

    Helen Fan grew up in a family that has owned various Asian restaurants all over North America, from Vancouver (Canada), Houston (Texas), Decatur (Illinois), to Chicago (Illinois). She, and the rest of the Fan family are now sharing their decades of knowledge on the art of Chinese cuisine at http://www.ChineseHomeCooking.Com

    You can learn more about other Chinese cooking techniques at http://www.chinesehomecooking.com /techniques/techniques.htm

    In The News:

    Cooking tips for the crummy kitchen
    Kentucky.com, KY - 18 hours ago
    Schaertl has created a CLK cooking-show concept that she is shopping, too, and a Web site called Crappylittlekitchens.com. The CLK home page contains a link ...

    ‘Green’ workshop offers tips for home, landscape, cooking
    ReporterHerald.com, CO - Sep 6, 2008
    By Marisa Beahm From native landscaping to energy efficiency, Coloradans have the opportunity to learn today about improving their home’s environmental ...

    Master curry chef gives cooking tips to public
    Harrow Observer, UK - Aug 28, 2008
    A cook specialising in Indian cooking gave a free demonstration of the cuisine of the sub-continent on Saturday. Pat Chapman took over the centre of St ...

    Rex dishes out cooking tips
    The Sun, UK - Aug 23, 2008
    By CHRISTINE JENNINGS REX gave the housemates food for thought last night as he shared some cooking tips. The hot-headed chef from London gave advice on ...

    Assemblyman hosts free health fair
    Fremont Bulletin,  United States - Sep 5, 2008
    In addition, there will be healthy cooking tips, information on free subsidized health care for children, CPR and first aid demonstrations, ...

    Wyoming Calendar for September 7, 2008
    Jackson Hole Star-Tribune, WY - 11 hours ago
    Doors open at 4 pm Live cooking demos, recipes and creative cooking tips, prize giveaways and free gift bags. * Sept. 17, 7 pm, Rodney Carrington puts on a ...

    ACCIDENTAL CHEF: Cooking with alcohol -- without the flame
    Richmond Times Dispatch, VA - 21 hours ago
    ... culinary instructor and author of "White Trash Gatherings: From-Scratch Cooking for Down-Home Entertaining" (Ten Speed Press). Send ideas, tips or ...

    Red Cross closes shelters and provides power outage tips
    WECT-TV6, NC - Sep 6, 2008
    Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors. Never use your gas range, oven, or dryer as a source of heat. If you use a generator, ...

    EAT THEIR WORDS EAT THEIR WORDS
    Tampa Tribune, FL - Sep 3, 2008
    Chattman includes 100 dishes that can be made in 30 minutes or less and shares tips for streamlining your dessert cooking. Do not read on an empty stomach. ...

    5 tips to save energy and money
    San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - Sep 5, 2008
    Dig up the slow cooker, which can use a lot less energy than cooking a meal across several burners and in the oven. -- Stop prerinsing dishes. ...
    cooking tips - Google News


    Wind Chimes and more...

    Windchimes for great gifts!

    Picnic Tips and Tricks

    The most difficult task of a picnic is remembering everything.... Read More

    Peppercorns & Ways To Use Them

    New and exciting varieties of peppercorns are becoming available to... Read More

    Solving The 7 Most Common Whole Wheat Bread Baking Mistakes

    Let's face it EVERY cook makes mistakes (yes, even us... Read More

    10 Dishes Every New Bride or Groom Must Know How to Make!

    Okay, you've either gotten married or are planning to pretty... Read More

    Family Meal Planning Made Easy

    As moms, we have hectic lives. Whether we work out... Read More

    10 Simple Kitchen Organizing Tips

    A lot of the times we mean to get in... Read More

    Whats a Pan Dowdy?

    Cobblers and dowdies, crisps and crumbles, buckles and betties-what are... Read More

    Substitutions for Commonly Called for Ingredients

    What should you do if you are in the middle... Read More

    Grill Your Corn for Maximum Flavor

    There's two basic theories on grilling corn. Some people prefer... Read More

    Two for One Dinners: Beans

    If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More

    10 Easy Ways To Protect Your Family From Food Poisoning

    Do you realize the many ways that bacteria can contaminate... Read More

    The Perfect Omelet(te), How to Cook It

    Omelet(te)sThey're easy to cook, right?We'll see.The first thing to remember... Read More

    10 Smart Shopping Tips To Protect Your Family From Getting Sick

    Prevention of food poisoning starts with your trip to the... Read More

    Vegetarian Cooking - Three Basics

    For any of the many reasons people choose to eat... Read More

    Better Breakfasts Ideas

    Nutritionists tell us that breakfast is the most important meal... Read More

    How to Choose the Right Smoke for the Right BBQ Dish

    BBQ smoke is one of the easiest ways to add... Read More

    How to Make Homemade Ice Cream (Without an Ice Cream Maker!)

    COLFAX, WISCONSIN - June is Dairy Month and what better... Read More

    10 Deadly Bacteria That Can Get In Your Food (And How To Stop Them From Getting There)

    Thousands of types of bacteria are naturally present in our... Read More

    Season Your Pans for Non Stick Cooking

    Nothing is more frustrating than trying to cook a delicious... Read More

    Chinese Cooking Technique: Deep Fry

    There are usually 2 ways of deep frying in Chinese... Read More

    How to Bake: Bread on the Grill

    One of the slickest tricks we know is baking bread... Read More

    Rice Cookers - Perfect Rice Every Time

    Love fluffy cooked rice but dislike the preparation time and... Read More

    Picnic Checklist

    In the previous article, we suggested that you start a... Read More

    Slimming Secrets From The Kitchen

    To get the svelte figure, start in the kitchen. Slimming... Read More

    Barbecue Success With The Rule Of Thirds

    Ever been to a barbecue party where the 'chef' placed... Read More