CHICAGO IS BLESSED WITH A LARGE CHINATOWN FILLED WITH AUTHENTIC REGIONAL RESTAURANTS. Unfortunately for us, during Chinese New Year, those restaurants are more than filled with celebrants. So if like us, you’re looking to celebrate the Year of the Dragon at home (February 10th through the 16th is the public holiday this year) here are eight Chinese and Chinese-inspired recipes. Why eight? It’s considered a very lucky number in many Asian cultures.
Chinese-style Braised Duck Legs
The duck legs shown above, braised with orange, ginger, lemongrass, cilantro and garlic, are celebratory in flavor, but simple to make. You’ll find the Chinese-inspired recipe here.
Restaurant-authentic Egg Drop Soup
Homemade (but restaurant-style) egg drop soup is one of our favorite dishes in our arsenal. With just six ingredients and quick preparation, you can enjoy the simple comforts of, um, restaurant anytime you get a hankering. You’ll find this lovely soup recipe here.
Country-style Chinese Pork “Ribs”
A variety of Chinese and not-so-Chinese ingredients create a flavorful marinade for oven-baked pork ribs that aren’t ribs at all. You’ll find the recipe—and the story behind these so-called ribs—right here.
Pork and Green bean Stir Fry
No need to wait for a celebration to cook a Chinese meal. Start marinating pork in the morning with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, mirin and Korean red pepper paste, and in the evening, you can throw together this weeknight-quick, flavorful stir fry.
Chicken Salad with Toasted Coconut and Roasted Cashews
Served over a bed of mixed greens, this is a modern Chinese take on a classic American dish, chicken salad. It’s based on a recipe from China Moon Cookbook, by Barbara Tropp, one of the great interpreters of Chinese cooking for the American kitchen. Find the recipe and more about this amazing woman here.
Chinese-style Steamed Fish
While steaming food is a healthy way to cook, the results can sometimes be bland. But steaming fish fillets with ginger, star anise, garlic, cilantro and other aromatics produces a healthy meal that’s anything but bland. Find the recipe here.
Chinese Egg Noodles with Beef and Hot Bean Sauce
Based on a recipe from another great cookbook in our collection, Bruce Cost’s Asian Ingredients, Chinese Egg Noodles with Beef and Hot Bean Sauce is the Asian comfort food equivalent of spaghetti with meat sauce. You’ll find the recipe and more about the book and shopping for Asian ingredients here.
Chinese-style Short Ribs
We’re always looking for ways to cook one of our favorite cheap cuts. Hoisin sauce, ginger, garlic and scallions help flavor these hearty short ribs. You can cook them quickly in your Instant Pot—or braise them slowly in the oven. Find the recipe here.
Yum!! Thanks for re-posting the egg drop soup. Perfect for the rainy weather we’ve been having here.
Lots of good recipes!!