6 Asian Recipes With Easy Weeknight Flavor
Asian dishes often feature readily available ingredients like tofu and vegetables, chicken, and shrimp, which are relatively easy to cook. Some of the recipes in this article feature crispy tofu, garlic shrimp, stuffed tofu, Korean chicken sandwich and cucumber salad, Peruvian fried rice, and other recipes. These and other recipes offer ideas for home cooks who want to make bold-flavored, hot dishes.
Why These Asian Recipes Work Well
- Pantry Staples: Seasonings such as soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and hot peppers can be used in a variety of dishes without requiring any additional ingredients in your pantry.
- Simple Cooking Methods: Recipes include instructions for simple cooking methods like pan frying and skillet cooking and marinating and combining foods but do not require advanced cooking equipment or skills.
- Meal Choices: Choose quick shrimp recipes and other main dishes, rice recipes, side dishes, sandwiches, and tofu recipes to suit your tastes.
- Forgiving Preparation: Extra toppings like sauces and slaws add more taste and texture options. These items can be prepared informally.
1. Chinese Dish: Stuffed Tofu Puffs with Chives, Interesting Flavor
Stuffed Tofu Puffs with Chives is a traditional dish from western Guangdong province. The dish is made by filling fried tofu puffs with a mixture of minced pork, chives, and dried shrimp. Stuffed Tofu Puffs with Chives can be used as the main course for home meals and other occasions. They appeal to people who prefer traditional dishes because of their rustic look and taste. Their flavor and aroma are popular.
2. Thai Garlic Shrimp with Crispy Cornstarch Coating
On weeknights, serve Thai garlic shrimp stir-fry with steamed rice and vegetables. Jumbo shrimp are coated in cornstarch and stir-fried until cooked and added back to the pan with shallots, ginger, garlic, red pepper, sugar, fish sauce, and sesame oil. Jumbo shrimp are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Fresh garlic, ginger, shallots, green onions, and red peppers are stir-fried briefly after the shrimp comes out to develop flavor. Fish sauce and sugar, plus toasted sesame oil, are added to the dish near the end of preparation to coat the shrimp. The recipe suggests using fresh ingredients; jarred garlic is not suggested because it has less flavor than fresh garlic. Check the shrimp for doneness and a curled, crispy shape after frying for three or four minutes. Dry shrimp must be used for frying. Wet shrimp prevent even coating with cornstarch. Overcooking is a frequent issue. Remove the shrimp from the pan before tossing to avoid overcooking the centers of the shrimp. Serve fresh with steamed rice, vegetables, egg rolls, or spring rolls. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container and reheated in the microwave or on the stove. Shrimp with a crunchy coating may not hold up well over time.
3. Korean BBQ Chicken Sandwich with Slaw: A Spicy Comfort Food Dish
This Korean BBQ Chicken Sandwich with Cabbage Slaw is a hot, hearty dish with spicy and other Korean flavors. Ingredients include grilled chicken thighs coated with sweet and sour Korean BBQ sauce and cabbage slaw. This dish is ideal for summer outdoor meals and other casual occasions. Consider this dish if you are seeking a comforting meal with a Korean flair.
4. Korean Cucumber Salad: Crispy and Sour Side Dish with a Refreshing Flavor
Korean Cucumber Salad is a simple and flavorful Korean side dish made with cucumbers and other ingredients. It can be served alongside grilled meats and rice or other dishes. Korean Cucumber Salad has sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. This side dish is easy to prepare and refrigerate to enhance flavor. It can be served any time of year to provide a fun flavor addition and please dinner guests.
5. Peruvian Chicken Fried Rice (Arroz Chaufa)
Peruvian Fried Rice, also called Arroz Chaufa, is a dish made with Chinese and other Peruvian ingredients. This simple homemade dish has a flavor similar to soy sauce and other ingredients like ginger and garlic. Peruvian Fried Rice can be a main or side dish and is one way to use up leftover rice. Many other ingredients and proteins can be added to Peruvian Fried Rice.
6. Crispy Szechuan Tofu with Tangy Spicy Maple Glaze
Prepare the sauce while pressing the tofu. Set some of the sauce aside to heat in a pan at another time. This vegan, gluten-free Szechuan tofu recipe makes four servings and includes tofu and red pepper strips stir-fried in a tangy, spicy, sweet maple glaze. Firm or extra-firm tofu cubes tossed with cornstarch and fried in a neutral oil with a high smoke point. Sauce ingredients include tamari, chili flakes, black pepper, maple syrup, Sriracha, rice vinegar, garlic, dried ginger, and Chinese five spice. Cornstarch helps the sauce adhere to tofu and red pepper rather than the pan. The tofu can be taken off the pan after both sides are lightly browned by flipping often. The red pepper should be cooked separately for five minutes. Some potential problems with this recipe include using softer, less-drained tofu, which makes it difficult for the cubes to stay in shape. Prepare the sauce to serve with the tofu. The sauce only needs to cook for one minute when mixed with other ingredients. Divide cooked tofu among bowls and garnish with diagonal slices of scallions. Serve tofu as an entrée or with rice. Reheat leftover tofu in a wok or other pan for better results than reheating in a microwave.
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