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| CHINESE MEALS AND FOOD |
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| The Chinese eat 3 meals a day, each being as important as another. They do not have specialized foods for certain meals such as eggs or cereal for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and steak for dinner. The sorts of dishes at each meal are pretty much the same. The goal in planning is to provide a number of dishes. |
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| RICE Rice is the basic food of the Chinese people. It is served with every meal. In northern China noodles may be served instead of rice. |
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| Meals are served with dishes placed in the center of the table. Family members use chopsticks to reach into each dish and take out a morsel of food. A small rice bowl is held closely to place large pieces of meat and to slide rice into the mouth with the chop sticks. |
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| Soup is also served at almost every meal. An informal family meal usually includes a light soup, a meat dish, a fish dish, and a vegetable dish, |
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| Stir-frying is a quick and popular method of cooking. It's nutritious, low in fat, uses whatever food you have on hand, and conserves cooking fuel. |
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| with rice or noodles being the foundation. For a feast or dinner party, the menu may include 12 or more dishes. |
| Tea is drunk everywhere in China at all times of the day and evening, but is not usually served with meals. |
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