Chinese-Inspired Recipes

Making this classic Chinese soup is a lot of fun and easier than you might think -- it's the perfect snow-day activity.

Moo shu is a sweet and savory stir-fry typically made with pork and thinly sliced cabbage and vegetables. At the table, the mixture is then tucked into thin and chewy pancake wrappers. To make this at home (and make it weeknight-friendly), use storebought flour tortillas and pre-shredded coleslaw mix to save on time and prep work.

Try serving this simple Asian-inspired salad with cold sesame noodles or stir-fried chicken with peanuts.From the book "Mad Hungry," by Lucinda Scala Quinn (Artisan Books).

Use leftovers from our Braised Chicken with White Wine, Tomatoes, and Peas for this homemade Chinese takeout dinner. Any fast-cooking greens can be used, but we like the flavor and texture of bok choy.

If you're looking for a tasty vegetable for stir-fries, grilling, or salads, try bok choy. Bok choy is especially delicious when eaten raw. Just slice it up, toss with a light dressing, and enjoy.

Making this dish is easer than you think; this beef and broccoli stir-fry requires only one pan and takes about half an hour from start to finish.

When you have a few smart, flavor-boosting ingredients on hand, your favorite Chinese takeout is faster and lighter to make and enjoy at home. Fresh ginger and scallions dial up the store-bought black bean sauce used to dress these crispy noodles and tender stir-fried vegetables.

Using agave nectar in the glaze helps balance the heat of the Chinese mustard. You can adjust the amount of mustard to make the flavor more or less fiery.

To make an egg-drop version of this soup, beat two eggs in a bowl and slowly drizzle them into the simmering broth just before serving.

No need to form wontons for this soothing soup! The wrappers go into the garlic-ginger broth separately from the filling (mini pork meatballs flavored with soy sauce and cilantro). Vitamin-rich bok choy provides a welcome pop of green.

The broiler does all the work in this beef dinner, as opposed to the more traditional, hands-on method of stir-frying in a wok or skillet.

Add distinctive flavor to dinnertime with this easy recipe for a Chinese buffet favorite.

Stuff wonton wrappers with turkey, lettuce, soy sauce, sesame oil, scallions, eggs, and mushrooms for a savory and delicious appetizer or main course. This wonderful recipe for turkey dumplings is courtesy of Jennifer 8. Lee ("The Fortune Cookie Chronicles").

Feel free to add some soy sauce, fish sauce, or hoisin to jazz this up and make it your own.

This Asian-inspired marinade pairs perfectly with pork -- turning into a sticky, spicy, sweet glaze when cooked -- but can also be used with chicken or beef.

Toss the take-out menu and cook up this Chinese-American favorite on your skillet.

Say "open sesame" to a Chinese-restaurant classic that's no longer a guilty pleasure. This chicken is sauteed in a little oil instead of deep fried. The less-sweet sauce has fewer calories than a standard recipe, and, nutritionally, brown rice beats white.

Add some Asian flavors to the table with this dish of healthy green vegetables.

Better than take out, this dish has a garlic-and-ginger sauce that's practically addictive. It's even easier to make when you use leftovers.

To keep them crisp, the green beans are cooked separately, then quickly stir-fried in a hot skillet with the peppers, pork, and sauce.

Our version of the popular Chinese takeout is loaded with snow peas, water chestnuts, and boneless chicken. Chili paste gives this dinner recipe some zing.

Jazz up a store-bought Chinese condiment with vinegar and chili sauce to create a tart and spicy sauce fit for dipping. (Try it with our Summer Rolls.)

These crackers are a great snack to have on hand. Keep a box in the pantry and fry them up when friends stop by.