Tag Archives: chinese food

How to Eat Chinese Food and Still Stay Fit

I’ve written about my weakness for Chinese food in previous blogs. Given that I am addicted to tasty ab-killing Chinese dishes, I often find myself doing double time in the gym following a take-out meal. If you too enjoy indulging in Chinese food, but you don’t have the time to spend two hours working off that extra helping of Mu Shu, then consider these tips that will help you eat smarter: Chinese 101—-You don’t have to enroll in a college language course, but it does pay to know some of the lingo. Look for the words “steamed” as well as … Continue reading →

Save Money—-Make Your Own Chinese Restaurant-Style Dishes

I love getting Chinese take-out, especially on Friday nights. Unfortunately, with the economy (and my family budget) in flux, Chinese food has tumbled to the bottom of the priority list. The fact that it cost nearly $40 to feed a family a four (two main dishes and two sides) means I probably won’t be visiting my favorite Chinese eatery for a while. If you love Chinese food as much as I do, but you don’t have the cash to feed your habit, consider making your own. There are dozens of Chinese dishes that can be made in less than an … Continue reading →

How to Eat Chinese Food Without Feeling Guilty

How many times have you ordered Chinese food since the kick off of the Summer Olympics in Beijing? I’m guilty or indulging in more than my share over the last 16 days. It’s hard not to, after all, Chinese dishes are among the most popular in the world and with all eyes on China for the last two weeks it’s no surprise that requests for regional recipes are at an all time high. Unfortunately, not all Chinese food is prepared the same and the cuisine sometimes gets a bad rap for offering unhealthy choices–many of which are loaded with sodium. … Continue reading →

Classic Chinese Cooking—Marvelous Mu Shu

Even if you can’t make it to Beijing for the Summer Olympic Games you can still get a taste of China in your own home. Dishes, like mu shu, are extremely popular in Chinese restaurants and are not hard to replicate at home. Mu shu pork is one of the most popular Chinese recipes in the west. The dish is comprised of either deep-fried or stir-fried pork combined with fresh vegetables. Mu shu originated in northern China and was given the name as a tribute to flower blossoms from the cassia tree. But, not everyone agrees with that origin. Some … Continue reading →

Make Your Own Chinese New Year Dishes

Mark your calendars–this year Chinese New Year begins on February 7th. Which means you have exactly one week to finalize your party menu… or make dinner reservations at your favorite Chinese restaurant. Actually, the point of this blog is to encourage the former instead of the latter, more convenient option. I grew up in Hawaii where Chinese New Year is celebrated with huge block parties featuring massive buffet tables lined with the most delicious homemade Chinese delicacies. Growing up my favorite Chinese New Year treat was Soy Zing Dan Gow, a steamed Chinese sponge cake that is specifically made for … Continue reading →

Stir-fry Basics

We all know that stir-fry is a healthy way to eat, right? Plus it just tastes so good. To go along with my blog on stir-fry tips, here is a step-by-step of how to stir-fry. 1. Start with a wok or an electric skillet. I prefer the wok, but I haven’t been able to find an electric one since mine broke and so I’m making due with a skillet for the time being. 2. Select your meats and your vegetables. Slice, dice, and chop them all as finely as you can, putting them in separate piles or bowls before moving … Continue reading →

Tips for Great Stir-fry

I married a man who likes to go vegetarian in the summer. I didn’t really know what I was getting into –it makes for unusual meals at the Pinkston house. With experimentation, though, we’ve come up with some solutions, and we’ve found that we really enjoy stir-fry. Here is a list of tips that may help make your stir-fry creations better than ever: 1. Use fresh ginger and garlic. Ginger powder and garlic powder/salt just don’t give the same flavor. Be sure to sauté them first before you add anything else. 2. The fresher the meat, the better. I prefer … Continue reading →

Chinese Buffets—Nutritional No-No’s

There’s a Chinese restaurant located directly across the street from our local mall that offers a lunch buffet for $6. The other day I was running behind schedule (after running errands at the mall) and decided to pop into the restaurant for lunch with my toddler daughter. I figured the buffet was bound to have something she’d eat and the restaurant doesn’t charge for children 2 and under so I figured I’d be getting a pretty good deal—two meals for $6. Later that night I learned that I got more than I bargained for. My daughter enjoyed the General Tso’s … Continue reading →