What is Oyster Sauce ?
Oyster sauce is a Chinese item made from the liquid of cooked oysters. The liquid is mixed with soy sauce, thickeners and additives. The result is a thick and viscous dark brown sauce. High quality oyster sauce is naturally dark, but some brands add caramel color. The flavor of this sauce is rich, salty and robust. A small amount is used to season dishes such as stir fries, meat and stews.
Ingredients
Water is a substance and chemical compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen. It is clear, fluid, flavorless and odorless. Water is a necessity in nearly every aspect of life, including cooking, baking and hydrating the human body. Water can be served as a cold beverage, or at any temperature comfortable to the mouth and skin.
Sugar comes from sugar cane and sugar beets. The sugar is extracted from the juice of both plants and refined into the granulated substance known as sugar. Sucrose, the sweet substance of sugar is a combination of glucose and fructose. White sugar is composed of tiny white, dry granules. The flavor is sweet and neutral. Brown sugar is brown and has more moisture, with a richer flavor that hints at molasses. Sugar is used in both sweet and savory foods.
Soy sauce is a liquid condiment and seasoning made from fermented soybeans. Traditionally it was been made with just soy, many versions and brands use wheat as well. Soy sauce is dark brown with a thin viscosity. The flavor is intensely salty and umami. Soy sauce is used to season meats, seafood and vegetables, it is also used in sauces to perk up the flavor of the food and enhance other tastes.
Salt is a mineral composed mostly of sodium chloride. It is the main flavoring used in food and is naturally occurring in certain foods, such as cheese, beets, meat and celery, plus many others. Salt is white and has finer granules than sugar. Many commercial salts include iodide, while others exclude it. Most salts are white, while some are naturally pale pink with minerals. Salt brings out the flavor of something and can create a tangy mouthfeel, if used in excess.
Bonito flakes are tissue paper thin flakes of fermented skipjack tuna. The color of the flakes are a pale tan tone and each one is usually no more than an inch or so in length and width. The flavor is strong with a distinctly fishy flavor and has smoky fermented taste.
The oyster is an ocean dwelling mollusk with a hard shell protecting its soft body. Oysters served as a food generally have a white and grey shell of 2-3 inches. The shell pops open when the oyster is cooked, revealing a plump, springy and juicy oyster with a misshapen oblong body, white flesh and brown/grey edges. Raw oysters have a slightly translucent body and a slippery texture with a gentle chew to them. The flavor is mild, briny and sometimes coppery with a seafood/fishy taste.
Onion bagels are individual serving sized, ring shaped breads, roughly the size of a donut. They are made from a yeasted dough. The outside of the bagel is covered in small, savory onion pieces.
Additives are added to food items in small quantities to improve the flavor, change the texture, enhance appearance, or preserve the item. Additives are both natural and artificial. Natural additives have been used for a long time, while many artificial ones were discovered in the 19th century. There are numerous artificial additives including soy lecithin, guar gum, ascorbic acid and sodium nitrite.
Wheat flour is a product made by finely milling wheat grains until they form a powder-like substance. Wheat flour is denser than powder and comes as whole wheat flour; a semi-dense flour with a beige color and full flavor. All- purpose flour is refined, white, lighter in texture and more bland in flavor. There are other varieties of wheat flour with these two being the most common. The flavor is mild and nutty. Wheat flour is used in the making of a huge number of foods across all cuisines. It is used as a binder as well as the basis for breads, baked goods and coating for breaded meats and vegetables. It is used in sauces and even some candies.
