ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Red cooking

Red cooking is a cooking method that originated in China a long time ago. This method involves slow-cooking meat or vegetables in a flavorful liquid or sauce until they become tender and flavorful. The liquid or sauce is typically made from soy sauce, sugar, rice wine, and lots of spices like ginger and cinnamon.

To prepare a red-cooked dish, you need to marinate the meat or vegetables in the sauce for several hours or overnight. Then, you heat up the sauce with the marinated ingredients in a pot and let it simmer for a long time. The goal is to cook the ingredients until they are soft, juicy, and infused with the flavor of the sauce.

The name "red cooking" comes from the color of the sauce, which turns a deep, rich shade of brownish-red as the ingredients cook in it. The resulting dish is usually served with rice or noodles and is known for its savory, umami flavor and tender texture.

Overall, red cooking is a slow and patient way of cooking that requires a lot of time and attention to detail, but the end result is a delicious and satisfying meal that is sure to please your taste buds.