Hebei Province is located north of the Yellow River and at the eastern foot of the Taihang Mountains. It is the main high-quality wheat production area in China. Moreover, transportation here has been developed since ancient times and road transport resources are relatively abundant. This characteristic has prompted this hot land to breed a unique food culture.

Today, I would like to introduce to you 4 "weird dishes" from rural Hebei. These dishes are not only delicious, but each dish is a unique and beautiful memory for us Hebei people. Let’s see how many of them we have eaten together.

The first dish: Chicken Lebang

This dish has a long history, and many restaurants no longer serve it. The chicken breast is actually stir-fried prawns with chicken breast. Since this dish is best made of fresh local large green shrimps, these shrimps were always alive and kicking before being made into dishes, so they are famous as "chicken jumping".

The method of making chicken breast is not complicated. You only need to encapsulate the chicken breast and the lobster with the head and tail removed and then fry them in batter. By frying the two strips, the ingredients will become crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and then fried together with chili peppers and peppercorns. Garnish with celery and green onions at the end and serve.

The chicken fillet is attractive in color, invigorating the spleen and appetizing, the chicken breast is firm and chewy, and the lobster is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It is a delicacy not to be missed.

Second course: Stir-fried crab

Stir-fried crab was once a special delicacy of government offices. Later, it was injected into folk customs and became one of the models of Hebei cuisine. Although this dish is cheap and only uses fish and eggs as raw materials, it can taste the fragrance of giant crab. Due to its complex quality, it is rarely available nowadays.

To make this dish, you need to dice the fish and stir-fry it in a pot; then separate the protein from the egg white, first scramble the egg white, add the previously stir-fried diced fish, then scramble the egg yolk, and finally seasoning. The whole process must be completed in one go.

This dish can be said to be a strange dish. There is no giant crab as raw material, but it tastes like eating better-peeled crab sticks, and the mouthful is full of the deliciousness of giant crab.

Third course: Wallet Pork Tenderloin

Everyone has eaten boiled poached eggs, and everyone should be familiar with tenderloin, but Wallet Pork Tenderloin, I think most people Never heard of it. This Hebei specialty delicacy is very popular in our backward areas and is a snack that many Hebei people remember from their childhood.

Wallet pork tenderloin must use fresh pork tenderloin and stupid eggs from free-range chickens as raw materials. First, add raw eggs to batter to make egg paste, then fry them in a pan to make egg pancakes. Then put the dumpling filling made from the tenderloin into the egg pancake, wrap it up and put it into the pot to cook. Wait until the surface is golden brown, then return to the pot and season.

This dish is browned and tender on the inside. The eggy aroma of the eggs and the meaty flavor of the tenderloin blend into one. It has a rich texture and is so delicious that you have to eat it one after another.

Course 4: Guobao Pork Elbows

Everyone knows the famous Northeastern dish of old-fashioned Guobao Pork, but they have never heard of our Hebei specialty delicacy - Guobao Pork Elbows. This dish is also a delicious dish not to be missed. This dish will definitely be served at banquets in backward areas of Hebei. Pot-wrapped pork knuckles have always had a unique place in the hearts of Hebei people.

Guobao pork knuckles use fresh pork knuckles as raw materials. Put the pork knuckle into the pot and add spices and sauce to marinate it. After the sauce is marinated, the pork knuckle must be dried in the sun, then put it into the pot and fry the surface until it turns golden brown. Then cut it into medium-sized pieces, add dipping sauce and green onions and serve.

The pork knuckles wrapped in pots are crispy in taste, browned and tender inside. One bite will fill your mouth with fluid and oily aroma. Paired with green onions and dipping sauce, whether it is a side dish with wine or eaten alone, it will make people feel full of happiness.

With the passage of time, some of these traditional Hebei dishes have gradually been lost and become the memories of Hebei people. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to taste this kind of cuisine when visiting Hebei, be sure not to miss it. Although they may look or sound a little "weird", the taste will never make you feel chilled.