Tour of Asia

Updated August 11, 2008
Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell and Jan Gautro

No need to grab the passports, pack the suitcases, or stand in long airport lines to savor the flavors of Asia. Simple recipes, great ingredients, and a bit of confidence are all that's needed to create traditional Asian dishes in your kitchen.

Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Korean Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Credit: Justin Walker; Styling: Carla Gonzalez-Hart

Korean Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Think of gochujang as Korean steak sauce, adding savory depth to the chicken. You can find it at many supermarkets, or substitute equal parts Sriracha and white/yellow miso (soybean paste).

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 15

Almost Classic Pork Fried Rice

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Almost Classic Pork Fried Rice Recipe

Why go out to a restaurant when you can make this Asian favorite at home? Almost Classic Pork-Fried Rice is fresh and tasty, plus a healthy alternative to the original.

3 of 15

Shanghai Spring Rolls with Sweet Chili Sauce

Shanghai Spring Rolls with Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe

These Asian-inspired spring rolls make great appetizers, and they are sure to impress guests at your next party. Serve with homemade chili sauce over a bed of fresh lettuce.

Advertisement

4 of 15

Pan-Steamed Asian Greens with Shiitake Sauce

Credit: James Carrier

Pan-Steamed Asian Greens with Shiitake Sauce Recipe

Cook these pan-steamed greens and then spoon homemade shiitake mushroom sauce right over the top for an authentic Asian meal at home.

5 of 15

Hand-Hacked Pot Stickers

Hand-Hacked Pot Stickers Recipe

Shallow-fried dumplings are popular during the Chinese New Year, but these festive dinner pockets are great for main dishes or fun sides all year long.

6 of 15

Deconstructed Egg Rolls

Credit: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Karen Shinto

Deconstructed Egg Rolls Recipe

A lumpia is a Filipino-style egg roll often filled with a gingery mixture of pork and carrots. We've skipped the rolling to make the dish speedier, added rice to make it heartier, and ended up with something very tasty--call it a Filipino tostada.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 15

Hot and Sour Soup

Credit: Randy Mayor

Hot and Sour Soup Recipe

This vegetable-filled, flavor-packed vegetarian soup is a great dish with a side of wonton crackers. . The heat from the black pepper, cilantro and chili oil is delicately balanced with ginger, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.

8 of 15

Sichuan-Style Stir-Fried Chicken With Peanuts

Credit: Randy Mayor; Mary Catherine Muir

Sichuan-Style Stir-Fried Chicken With Peanuts Recipe

Also known as kung pao chicken, this 5-Star Sichuan classic boasts multidimensional hot-sweet and salty-sour flavors. As one user review put it, "It is, hands-down, the best stir-fry chicken recipe I've ever tried."

9 of 15

Shang Kimchi (Summer, or Raw, Kimchi)

Credit: Karry Hosford

Shang Kimchi (Summer, or Raw, Kimchi) Recipe

You can buy kimchi from an Asian market or make your own. Most kimchi is fermented for days or weeks to develop a pungent flavor. Although this recipe skips the fermentation step, it tastes authentic.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 15

Chicken Fried Rice

Credit: Ryan Benyi; Styling: Susan Vajaranant

Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Transform your favorite take-out menu item to your new favorite homemade meal with classic Chicken Fried Rice.

11 of 15

Avocado and Shrimp Sushi

Credit: Jan Smith

Avocado and Shrimp Sushi Recipe

Using mashed avocado makes this California-style sushi easy to roll. Use precooked shrimp for an easy shortcut. Serve sushi with the typical accompaniments of wasabi, low-sodium soy sauce, and pickled ginger.

12 of 15

Vietnamese Beef-Noodle Bowl

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Lydia DeGaris

Vietnamese Beef-Noodle Bowl Recipe

Marinating the beef for 4 to 24 hours ahead can save preparation time later and add extra flavor, if desired. Whole star anise imparts a licoricelike aroma and flavor to the broth, but the soup is very good without it.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 15

Spicy Asian Chicken and Noodle Soup

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Spicy Asian Chicken and Noodle Soup Recipe

This broth packs a lot of flavor in just a little time. If you don't have the Sriracha on hand, thin slices of jalapeño pepper make a good substitute for this soup recipe.

14 of 15

Chinese Almond Cookies

Credit: James Carrier

Chinese Almond Cookies Recipe

With a buttery shortbread-like texture, these almond-flavored cookies are guaranteed to be family favorites. Let kids help by "painting" glaze on the dough and putting almond "eyes" in the cookie's center.

15 of 15

Green Tea Ice Cream

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell and Jan Gautro

Green Tea Ice Cream Recipe

The healing powers of green tea have long been coveted by ancient cultures. Researches link this antioxidant-rich tea to longer lives and healthier hearts. Green Tea Ice-Cream may sound like a stretch, but even non-tea-drinkers raved about this dessert's sweet taste and soft texture.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next