It is believed that the Chinese were the first to cultivate plums and plums have an important place in traditional Chinese culture. Even Confucius paid tribute to them in a poem wherein he likens their beauty to a loved one: "The branches of the aspen plum To and fro … Continue reading →
BEST Sweet & Sour Sauce
Get ready for a fast, simple, and deeeelicious Sweet & Sour Sauce! This sweet and sour sauce is perfect as a dipping sauce for potstickers, egg rolls, chicken nuggets and anything else your heart desires. Use also to incorporate into your favorite Chinese dishes like … Continue reading →
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
It's after making meals like this that I ask myself why I don't utilize my slow cooker more often. I mean, what could be simpler than throwing in a handful of ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning and then coming home to a ready-made meal for dinner? Well, I've … Continue reading →
Slow Cooker Chinese Fried Rice
Chinese fried rice has always been a favorite of mine, but it's a long process to get it right, to make it the way it's served in restaurants. And during the week I like to keep meals as quick and simple as possible. You too? And so I figured, why not? Practically … Continue reading →
Grilled Sweet & Sour Veal Meatball Kabobs
This post is in partnership with Veal Made Easy. I love food. All kinds of food. From north, south, east and west, exploring flavors from near and far is my passion. And I'm always looking for ways to incorporate more healthy vegetables in a way that makes them … Continue reading →
BEST Authentic Homemade Hoisin Sauce
After some experimenting, I've finally cracked the case for the ultimate hoisin sauce! Hoisin sauce and Chinese food - the two go hand in hand. And if you're like me there have been too many times when you wanted to make a Chinese dish, scanned the ingredients, and … Continue reading →
BEST Homemade Black Bean Sauce (aka Black Bean Garlic Sauce or Black Bean Paste)
For those of you who know what this is, you already know the wonders it does for your Asian-inspired dishes. You'll also be happy to know how incredibly quick and easy it is to make yourself (all of 15 minutes). PLUS, it tastes even better than store-bought stuff AND you … Continue reading →
General Tso’s Chicken
General Tso's Chicken has been one of America's most popular Chinese takeout dishes for decades. And while the citizens of China are familiar with General Tso - a statesman in the Qing Dynasty - they've never heard of his chicken. That's because General Tso's Chicken is … Continue reading →
Chinese Chicken Fried Quinoa
I love cooking with a variety of grains and quinoa is one that I particularly enjoy experimenting with. Not because it's my favorite tasting grain, but because it's the healthiest grain on the planet, the only grain that is a complete protein. I like to use quinoa in … Continue reading →
Chinese Beef and Broccoli
One of the things I love about Chinese food - aside from the fact that it tastes so darn delicious - is how quick it is to make. Once you have the prep work of all the chopping done - and that can conveniently be done in advance - it literally takes 5 minutes or less to … Continue reading →
Goat Cheese, Spinach and Bacon Wontons
If you don't like goat cheese, no problem - use cream cheese instead. Either way, these crispy bundles of goodness are simply irresistible! They are dangerous though, I have to warn you. These are one of those foods that are hard to stop eating. You pop one in your … Continue reading →
Beef Stir-fry with Snow Peas and Mushrooms
Who doesn't enjoy a good stir-fry? One of the things I about Chinese food, aside from the fact that it's delicious, is that it's generally so doggone quick to make. Really the only time involved is the prep work - the chopping. The actual cooking takes less than 5 … Continue reading →
Mongolian Chicken
This Mongolian Chicken is super easy to make, ready in less than 15 minutes, and rivals your favorite takeout! … Continue reading →
Asian Wheat Berry Salad
Dooooooon't skip over this recipe! Look, I know what you're thinking. Normally I would think the same thing: "Wheat berries. Ummm. Boring." But so help me, I'll be had if you make this, try it and don't like it. Change the name if it makes it more appealing to you. … Continue reading →
Honey Sesame Chicken
Thank you to Tyson Foods for sponsoring this post! Honey, honey, oh how we love honey. Whether it’s baked up in a sweet-a-licious cake or swirled in a savory-sweet sticky sauce like this Honey Sesame Chicken, honey is a wonderful thing. As Lenny once sang: “Winds may … Continue reading →
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Battered and fried chicken pieces simmered in a delicious sweet and sour sauce with bell peppers, green onions and pineapple. Quick, easy and thoroughly delicious! … Continue reading →
Mu Shu Pork Wraps
Thank you to Campbell’s Dinner Sauces for sponsoring this post! Mu Shu Pork originated in northern China and first became popular in the U.S. in the 1960's. It quickly became popular and is now a staple in Chinese American cuisine. There are many variations of this … Continue reading →
Shanghai Burgers
Sometimes there just are no words. Like this time. Yum. Aw, I can do better than that. Let's try this again... Scrumptiously, delectably, exquisitely, deliciously, lusciously, scandalously, daringly, tantalizingly ...YUM! There, that's better. We all have … Continue reading →
Red Robin Banzai Burger Copycat Recipe
To quote a friend, "Sometimes you just need a great burger." I couldn't agree more. … Continue reading →
Ginger Scallion Noodles
Ginger Scallion Noodles. Ready in less than 15 minutes + can be made ahead of time + tastes delicious = Yes, please! … Continue reading →
Ultimate Chicken Chow Mein
Good food is therapeutic. It adds spice to life, offers comfort for the "blah's", provides warmth on a cold evening, coolth on a hot day...and helps unravel and unfrazzle you after having spent two hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the cursed I-5 headed south of Seattle … Continue reading →
Sichuan Orange Beef
I received some pasta from Pappardelle's for review. All opinions are entirely my own. You don't have to order out or eat at a Chinese restaurant any more to enjoy Sichuan Orange Beef. You can make it at home within just 15 minutes - just be prepared to have your … Continue reading →
Restaurant-Style Chinese Hot and Sour Soup
Good restaurant Chinese hot and sour soup has a very distinct flavor that can be challenging to replicate. And not all restaurant hot and sour soups are created equal. Not by a long shot. Though you may not be able to pinpoint the difference, you can tell when shortcuts … Continue reading →
Sichuan Chicken and Cashew Noodles
Here is a dish I threw together a few years ago and it's been a family favorite since. It's quick and easy to assemble. It's also a perfect dish for using up leftover chicken. A delicious blend of Asian flavors, tender chicken, and crunchy cashews makes for a … Continue reading →
Chinese Honey-glazed Beef and Walnuts
Fengmi Niulijirou Hetaoren. Repeat 3 times in a row as fast as you can. That's Chinese for "Chinese honey-glazed beef and walnuts." Sweet and sticky beef with crunchy glazed walnuts - like eating candy. SO good. This dish comes from the Northern region of China. The … Continue reading →
Chinese Five Spice Powder
The exact origin of Chinese Five Spice Powder is unknown, but it is believed that it is the result of the Chinese attempting to produce the ultimate "wonder powder", incorporating all five taste elements: Sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, and salty. Whatever the exact origin, … Continue reading →
Chinese Orange Chicken
Tender, chewy, crispy, citrusy, sweet, tangy and spicy all in one. Chinese Orange Chicken, a dish of chopped, battered, and fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet orange-flavored, caramelized chili sauce, is a highly popular Chinese fast food dish of Hunan origin. This … Continue reading →
BEST Mongolian Beef
Mongolian Beef. Succulent. Tender. Full of flavor. Though neither the ingredients nor the method of cooking is Mongolian in origin, the name is widely known and the dish is served throughout much of the Western world and in virtually every Chinese restaurant. Some claim … Continue reading →
Shanghai Noodles
Shanghai, China. The most populated city in the world. Bustling with tourists, it is also a major port town, financial hub, business and commerce center, and cultural hotspot. Amidst the ever-changing dynamics of this global city, one thing remains constant: Noodles are … Continue reading →
Kung Pao Chicken
Originating in the Sichuan Province of China, Kung Pao Chicken is a popular dish throughout China and the Western world. It is believed to have been named after the governor of Sichuan, Ding Baozhen of the Qing Dynasty. His official title, Gong Bao (meaning “palatial … Continue reading →
