Quick, Delicious And Easy Chinese Dinner Recipes- Cooking At Home

Are you craving the mouth watering flavours of Chinese cuisine but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen? Look no further! In this blog post, we'll share some quick, delicious, and easy Chinese dinner recipes that you can cook at home. These recipes are perfect for busy weeknights when you want a flavorful meal without the hassle. Let's get started!

Why Cook Chinese Dinners at Home?

Cooking Chinese dinners at home comes with several advantages. Not only does it allow you to control the quality and freshness of the ingredients, but it also helps you save money compared to dining out. Additionally, by preparing these dishes yourself, you can customise them to suit your taste and dietary preferences. Let's dive into the top 5 quick Chinese dinner recipes.

Top 5 Quick Chinese Dinner Recipes

1. Quick Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

This classic Chinese stir-fry combines tender slices of beef with crisp broccoli in a savoury sauce. To make this delicious dish, just adhere to these easy steps::

• Slice the beef thinly and marinate it with soy sauce, cornstarch, and a splash of sesame oil for about 15 minutes.
• While the beef marinades, blanch the broccoli in boiling water for 2 minutes and then immediately transfer it to ice-cold water to retain its colour and crunch.
• Stir-fry the marinated beef in a hot wok until it's browned, then set it aside.
• In the same wok, stir-fry garlic and ginger until fragrant.
• Add the blanched broccoli back to the wok and toss it with oyster sauce and a pinch of sugar.
• Return the beef to the wok and combine everything for a minute.
• Serve your beef and broccoli stir-fry over steamed rice and garnish with sesame seeds for an extra touch of flavour.

2. Easy Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken is a famous Sichuan dish known for its bold flavours and spicy kick. Here's how you can whip up this crowd-pleaser at home:

• Cut boneless, skinless chicken into bite-sized pieces and marinate with soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch.
• In a hot wok, stir-fry the marinated chicken until it's cooked through, then set it aside.
• Stir-fry dried red chilies and Sichuan peppercorns for a few seconds to release their flavours, then add peanuts and stir-fry until they become fragrant.
• Add garlic, ginger, and green onions to the wok and stir-fry for a minute.
• Add the cooked chicken back to the wok and combine everything.
• Pour in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil for the signature Kung Pao sauce.
• Cook until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken, then sprinkle with more green onions and serve with steamed rice.

3. Speedy Vegetable Fried Rice

Fried rice is a versatile and satisfying dish that you can customise with your favourite vegetables. This speedy vegetable fried rice is both delicious and quick to make:

• Cook jasmine rice ahead of time and let it cool, as using cold rice prevents it from becoming mushy during stir-frying.
• In a hot wok, scramble eggs and set them aside.
• Stir-fry chopped onions, carrots, and peas until they're tender.
• Toss in the cooked rice and break up any clumps.
• Add soy sauce and oyster sauce for a savoury and umami-rich flavour.
• Return the scrambled eggs to the wok and mix everything together.
• For an extra kick, drizzle with a dash of sriracha or chilli oil before serving.

4. Simple Sweet and Sour Pork

If you're a fan of the tangy and sweet flavours found in Chinese takeout, you'll love this simple sweet and sour pork recipe:

• Cut pork tenderloin into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
• Dredge the pork in cornstarch and shallow fry until it turns golden brown.
• In a separate pan, stir-fry bell peppers, onions, and pineapple chunks until they're slightly caramelised.
• Combine ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and garlic in a saucepan to create the sweet and sour sauce.
• Once the pork is cooked, toss it in the sauce until it's well coated.
• Add the stir-fried vegetables and pineapple to the pork and sauce mixture.
• Allow everything to simmer for a couple of minutes until the flavours meld together.
• Serve your sweet and sour pork over steamed white rice and garnish with green onions for a visually appealing finish.

5. Fast Mapo Tofu

If you're looking for a quick and spicy tofu dish, look no further than fast mapo tofu. This Sichuan favourite can be prepared in a snap:

• Crumble tofu into bite-sized pieces and set it aside.
• In a hot wok, stir-fry ground pork until it's no longer pink.
• Add chilli bean paste and Sichuan peppercorns for that characteristic heat.
• Pour in chicken broth and let it come to a simmer.
• Gently slide the tofu into the wok and simmer until it's heated through.
• Thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry.
• Drizzle with sesame oil and garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
• Enjoy your mapo tofu with a bowl of steamed rice for a satisfying and spicy meal.

Tips for Effortless Chinese Cooking at Home

To make your Chinese cooking adventures even more enjoyable, here are some tips to keep in mind:

A. Essential Pantry Ingredients:

Stock up on key Chinese pantry staples like soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chilli bean paste. These ingredients form the backbone of Chinese cooking and can be used to enhance the flavours of a wide range of dishes.

B. Time-Saving Kitchen Tools:

Invest in a good-quality wok and a sharp chef's knife to speed up the cooking process. A wok distributes heat evenly, allowing for quick and even cooking, while a sharp knife makes chopping ingredients a breeze.

C. Mastering Chinese Flavors:

Chinese cuisine is known for its delicate balance of flavours—sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. Experiment with different combinations of these tastes to create dishes that suit your palate.

Now that you have these fantastic recipes and tips at your disposal, you can easily whip up delicious Chinese dinners at home. Say goodbye to takeout and embrace the joy of cooking your favourite Chinese meals with ease. Happy cooking!