If you’re not familiar with manchurian, it is an Indo-Chinese dish that has a sour, hot, and spicy sauce. It’s best made with freshly shredded vegetables, and if you’re vegetarian, you can skip the meat altogether and substitute the vegetable with a veg variety. Simply follow the instructions below, and your family and friends will be wowed! Here’s how to make manchurian:
Chinese colonists first settled the Liao Plain around 1000 BCE and made it the heartland of Chinese cultural influence. However, they failed to establish footholds in central and northern Manchuria until the Manchu ascendancy. The Qing government encouraged Chinese immigration to Liaodong during this period, and only restricted Chinese immigration afterward. They eventually consolidated their control over the region. Despite the difficulties that they faced, Chinese immigration continued until 1688, when they were able to obtain a better understanding of the region and its people.
To make manchurian balls, prepare a mixture of cornstarch and 4 tablespoons of water. Add some of the mixture at a time, and stir until the sauce thickens a bit. It is possible to add more cornstarch, or add a little more water, depending on your taste. Add manchurian balls to the sauce just before serving. Make sure to season the sauce well before serving to avoid mushy balls.
For the sauce, stir in some water, soy sauce, and red chili paste. Ensure that you use a spicy, yet mild red chili paste. Add a little water, if you prefer a gravy, or half a cup of water for a dry manchurian sauce. After stirring, add a dash of corn starch for a good glaze. If you’d like to serve this dish with a sauce, be sure to add more red chili sauce if desired.
The second dynasty controlled parts of Manchuria. The Sui dynasty ruled over the south part of the region, but the Tungus began to assert their independence in the late 7th century. The Bohai kingdom, centred in the province of Jilin, gradually became a powerful empire that controlled almost all of Manchuria. In the early 17th century, Nurhachi led a series of campaigns to pacify the Juchen peoples, and proclaimed himself han (“emperor”). The Jin dynasty lasted until 1911/12.
The Chinese cuisine also incorporates Indian elements. The chicken manchurian, for example, is made with chicken, but is also available as cauliflower or paneer. The dish is considered to be an introduction to Chinese cuisine and is available in most Chinese restaurants in India. This recipe originated in the Chinese restaurants of India, where the Chinese community learned how to make it. The Chinese style of cooking was then adapted to suit the Indian palate, making it more vegetarian-friendly.