Tag Archives: Asian

February 17, 2026 · 12:53 pm

Japanese Gyoza

Every Asian culture has their own version of pan-fried dumplings. This Japanese version, gyoza, is filled with seasoned ground pork and cabbage, seared to create a browned crust on one side, and then steamed until cooked through. Served with a slightly sweet soy dipping sauce. Add chili oil or paste to your liking.

To form dumplings, place a round dumpling wrapper on a small plate or piece of parchment paper. Place about 1 Tablespoon of filling in the center of the wrapper. Use your finger to very lightly moisten the edge of the gyoza wrapper with water. Fold wrapper in half, using your thumb and index finger to fold pleats into one edge of the wrapper. Pinch the edges together to close and seal.

Place wrapped dumplings on a parchment lined baking sheet. Let raw dumplings rest for a few minutes before cooking to keep them from unfolding when cooking.

Sear in oil without moving dumplings until bottoms are browned and crisped. Then add water and cover to steam until cooked through.

For a low-carb version, use the same filling and wrap in softened cabbage leaves. Steam until cooked through, and then brown, if desired.

RECIPE:

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Mango Thai Curry

The combination of fresh crisp vegetables and a warm hearty soup is perfect for these snowy January days, without being too heavy. Fresh and pureed mango add a bright sweet taste to this Thai curry.

I made this heavy on vegetables, so it came out more like a stew. For a more traditional consistency, add additional broth or coconut milk.

RECIPE:

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Seared Thai Basil Tuna Steaks

We have an abundance of Thai basil growing in planters in our back yard. Due to a plethora of rabbits, we have been unsuccessful at growing vegetables, so I have switched to herbs and flowers. Unfortunately, I may need to switch to all herbs next year…

But at least my Thai Basil is going strong, and is not a preferred bunny snack.

I love seared tuna steaks, because they are quick and easy to cook, and if not overcooked, are tender and delicious, without tasting “fishy”. A screaming hot cast iron skillet is the best way to cook them, searing for no more that 1 minute on each side. After searing, I add a small amount of the sauce into the skillet and cook for 15 seconds on each side to give a nice glaze to the fish.

Serve immediately, sliced across the grain, with additional sauce for dipping.

RECIPE: Continue reading →

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Tagged as 30 minute dinner, Asian, cast iron skillet, entree, fish, keto, main dish, quick and easy, recipe, Thai, Thai basil, tuna steaks

September 20, 2018 · 7:55 am

Fried Rice

The best fried rice starts with cold rice. Hot, steamy rice will lead to more sticky and gummy fried rice.

Starting with cold rice makes this a quick and easy meal when you have leftover rice in the refrigerator. And it is always a kid pleaser.

I like to cook the eggs omelet-style and then cut them into thin strips when I make fried rice, but you can also cook them like regular scrambled eggs.

RECIPE:

Fried Rice

Servings: 6-8
Print

6 cups cold cooked rice (about 2 cups uncooked rice, cooked and chilled)
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2-3 Tbs olive oil or butter
2 cups chopped raw vegetables (assorted): celery, broccoli, carrots, snow or snap
peas, mushrooms, zucchini, red peppers
1-2 cups chopped cooked ham, bacon, or chicken
Sliced green onions to garnish

Sauce:
½ cup chicken broth
½ cup soy sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
½ tsp minced fresh ginger
½ tsp chili paste
1 Tbs rice vinegar
1 Tbs honey
1 Tbs sesame oil

Combine sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

Heat 1 tsp of oil or butter in a small non-stick skillet. Cook eggs (in 3 batches) omelet style. Cut each omelet into thin strips. Set aside. **See Note Below for alternate egg cooking method**

In a large skillet, heat 2 Tbs olive oil or butter. Sauté vegetables until crisp tender. Stir in cooked ham or chicken and heat through. Stir in cooked rice. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir in sauce and cook for about 5 minutes or until rice is heated through and sauce is absorbed. Stir in egg strips. Garnish with sliced green onions.

**Alternate cooking method for eggs: If you want scrambled eggs and not egg strips in the fried rice: After adding the meat to the skillet, push the vegetables and meat over to one side of the skillet. Add the beaten eggs to the other side of the large skillet and stir gently until cooked through. Stir in rice and sauce, as directed above.

NoEmptyChairs.me

Kung Pao Chicken

Always a family favorite, this stir-fry comes together quickly for a last minute dinner.

Because the dried peppers are left whole in this recipe, it is not spicy. If you like a little more heat, simply cut up the peppers on your plate and eat them along with the stir-fry.

Szechuan peppercorns and Chinese black vinegar can be found in Asian markets or online. The peppercorns usually come whole. You can use any pepper mill/grinder to crush them. You can also use a small coffee grinder to grind the peppercorns.

RECIPE:

Kung Pao Chicken

Servings: 4-6
Print

3 chicken breasts, diced
2 Tbs soy sauce
1 Tbs sherry
2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
½ tsp ground Szechuan peppercorns

2 Tbs oil
8-10 dried small red chilis (Arbols)
1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
2-3 stalks celery, diced
1 small onion, diced
½ cup roasted peanuts
1 bunch green onions, sliced diagonally into 1 ½” pieces

Sauce:
1/3 cup chicken broth
3 Tbs soy sauce
1 Tbs sherry
1 Tbs Chinese black vinegar or rice vinegar
1 ½ Tbs cornstarch (or scant 1/8 tsp xanthan gum)
1 Tbs sugar (or low-carb sweetener)
1 Tbs sesame oil

Combine chicken with 2 Tbs soy sauce, 1 Tbs sherry, ginger, garlic, and ground peppercorns. Marinate 1 hour.

Combine sauce ingredients and set aside.

Heat 1 Tbs oil in large skillet or wok over high heat. Add whole dried chilis to hot oil and cook until they just begin to blacken. Remove chilis from oil and place in serving dish. Add vegetables to the hot oil in pan and cook over high heat until crisp-tender. Remove from pan and place in serving dish. Add additional 1 Tbs oil to pan. Add chicken to pan and cook over high heat until chicken is cooked through. Reduce heat to medium, add sauce to pan, and cook until thickened (2-3 mins). Stir in peanuts, green onions, vegetables and chilis. Heat for 1 minute.

Serve over rice.

NoEmptyChairs.me

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Tagged as Asian, chicken, Chinese, dinner, dried peppers, entree, main dish, peanuts, recipe, stir fry, szechuan

February 14, 2017 · 7:59 am

Apricot Glazed Chicken

You know those days when you run from one activity to another, and before you know it everyone is starving and you haven’t thought about dinner yet? Apricot Glazed Chicken is made for those days. This recipe is one of my favorite go-to last minute dinners. And it helps that it is always a hit with the kids.

The glaze is a simple mix of apricot jam, soy sauce and a few spices. Brown some chicken breasts or tenderloins in a skillet, pour on the glaze and cook for 5 minutes. Add a little rice and dinner is served!

A perfect meal for the dinner procrastinator!

I have also made this chicken with this homemade Peach Vanilla Jam or Mango Jalapeno Jam.

Mango Jalapeno Jam 1

RECIPE:

Apricot Glazed Chicken

Servings: 4-6
Print

2 Tbs olive oil
4 chicken breasts, or 1 lb chicken tenderloins
Salt, pepper, garlic powder
Hot cooked rice

Glaze:
½ cup apricot jam
1 Tbs soy sauce
1 Tbs rice vinegar
1 tsp fresh grated ginger (or ¼ tsp ground ginger)
½ tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp crushed red peppers
Heat oil in a large skillet. Add chicken to skillet and sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Cook until well browned.

Combine glaze ingredients and pour over chicken. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and glaze thickens slightly.

Serve over hot steamed rice.

NoEmptyChairs.me

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Tagged as 30 minute dinner, apricot, apricot jam, Asian, chicken, entree, last minute dinners, main dish, peach, recipe