The Flavors of China
Most commonly known for dishes such as fried rice, lo mein and dumplings, Chinese cuisine is both exciting and comforting. Try our healthier homemade versions to ensure you keep calories, fat, and sodium in check without sacrificing any of your favorite flavors.
Traditional Cantonese dumplings feature pork and mushrooms, but this version is completely vegetarian. Cabbage, apples, and tofu get spiked with hot sesame oil, soy sauce, rice wine, and a few other seasonings and aromatics. If you’ve never made Chinese dumplings before, this is an easy place to start.
Steamed Pork Buns
The Chinese make these steamed dumplings from yeast dough as part of a collection of steamed and fried delicacies known as dim sum. Here, the dough surrounds the filling, then gets pinched and twisted to form a pouch.
Chinese Potstickers
Variations of these little dumplings are popular throughout China. They symbolize abundance and wealth for the coming year, as they are made in large amounts and, when fried golden, represent coins.
Stir-Fried Chinese Egg Noodles
Though the chewy texture of Chinese egg noodles is fantastic, you can substitute rice sticks or linguine. Omit or decrease the amount of chile paste if serving to kids.
Chinese-Style Roast Pork (Char Sil)
This versatile pork works well in stir-fries, lo meins, or dumplings. Wrap leftovers tightly in foil or heavy-duty plastic wrap, and place in a plastic bag. Freeze for up to three months. Serve with snow peas.
Chinese Noodle Salad with Sesame Dressing
What's quicker than pasta? This simple dinner comes together in a flash by using packaged, trimmed snap peas from the produce department.
Chinese Chicken and Persimmon Lettuce Wraps
Asian preparations are natural for persimmons. You can also serve individual wraps as appetizers.
Chinese Wide Noodles with Barbecue Pork and Dried Mushrooms
This quick version of char siu pork amps up pork tenderloin with a marinade of sweet-salty hoisin sauce and aromatic five-spice powder. Then slivers of this meat meld with meaty wood ear mushrooms among chewy noodles bathed in a salty-sweet sauce.
Chinese-Style Stove-Top Pot Roast with Noodles
Ginger, soy sauce, star anise, and Chinese five-spice powder infuse this dish with Asian flavor. If you can't find fresh Chinese egg noodles, substitute rice noodles or even linguine.
Sweet and Sour Chicken
This classic Chinese recipe is faster and healthier than take-out. It's a win-win!
Chicken Fried Rice
This little gem of a recipe was born from leftover veggies. It is beautiful, tasty, and nutritious. For a vegetarian option, substitute tofu or edamame for the chicken.
Shrimp Fried Rice
This shrimp fried rice dish is best if you use day-old rice. Cook it, and spread in a single layer on a baking sheet to cool completely. Then refrigerate overnight to allow it to lose any excess moisture.
Lo Mein with Tofu
Lo mein, a popular Chinese dish, is often a go-to choice when dining out. But making lo mein at home not only keeps calories in check, it boosts the flavor and gives you limitless variety.
Sichuan Beef Soup
Beef shank works beautifully for slow-cooked soups, breaking down during long simmering to render the aromatic broth super beefy.
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