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Dinner ideas, Easy Ramen Recipes, Meal Prep, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout

Easy Beef Ramen recipe

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You can skip the takeout tonight and make this Easy Beef Ramen recipe noodle stir fry instead. It is super easy to make as it uses instant noodles and sliced beef, green onions and peppers. 

This dish can be ready in less than 20 minutes, easy and delicious! 

This dish is made with flank steak, red bell peppers, green onions.

Along with Ichiban ramen noodles that are simmered in a garlic, ginger sauce that you’re sure to enjoy.

HOW TO MAKE this Beef Ramen recipe

  • My recipe calls for allot less oil than most recipes out there, you really don’t need a lot anyway.
  • That is unless you want super crispy beef? I find the tender beef to be best for this recipe.
  • Also you can use plain ramen noodles instead of the Ichiban variety. However if you do then you will want to use beef stock in replace of the water along with 1 tbsp of soya sauce.
  • That is because I mix the pre packaged ichiban seasoning with 2 cups of water for this recipe.

Your method to preparing this is totally up to you!! 

The kind I used – feel free to use plain ramen noodles and omit the water for beef stock.

I have always loved ramen noodles, I have tried almost every kind. My favorite is ichiban and that is why I used them in this recipe.

However if your trying to limit your salt intake then you can substitute the seasoning that comes in that ramen package and use beef stock  instead. 

Whichever method you choose you still can have dinner on the table tonight in under 30 minutes time. It doesn’t get any easier or tastier than this for beef ramen noodles. 

The origins of ramen noodles originated from Japan however the chinese are the ones who brought it over in the mid 1800’s making this recipe more chinese. 

It’s absolutely delicious!

If you end up giving it a try I would love to hear what you think of it in the comments below. 

This super satisfying recipe is sure to hit the spot tonight!

You can always skip the chicken and make this a vegan dish. I hope you give it a try, Bon Appetit!

Note: Want a spicer Beef stir fry? Simply add in more “Red Pepper Flakes” 

MEAL PREP IDEA: Make enough to create a few meal preps bowls for the week ahead!

This recipe feeds four, so if your wanting more? Simply adjust the recipe above with my simple recipe adjuster.

If you liked this recipe? Then you will want to try my other ASIAN inspired recipes below!

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe i’d love to hear about it! You can give a 5 star rating below if would make it again. Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox every Month!

Quick and easy recipes, Seafood, Skip the takeout

Peppered Shrimp

This Chinese Peppered Shrimp stir fry is easy to make and is packed full of crispy red and green peppers and is sautéed in a special black peppered sauce.

Looking for another Chinese Pepper recipe? Try my Black Pepper Chicken

Your going to want to pull out the chop sticks for this one.

WHAT IS PEPPER SHRIMP

Black Pepper Shrimp is a popular Chinese dish that is made with shrimp and a mixture of vegetables that is typically served with rice or on it’s own. It has a special sauce that it is made in, which makes it super tasty!

In which I will share with you below in the recipe card!

This dish is made in our home often and is definitely up there on our list of favorite Asian dishes.

You can make this in a large non stick skillet or wok, since the whole dish comes together in under 15 minutes you really can skip the take-out tonight with this one.

So what are you waiting for? By the time you dial up your local restaurant, you can have this delicious and authentic Black Pepper Shrimp stir fry on the table in no time. 

You can always add fresh calamari to this dish as well if you’d like. And if your really feeling bold, go ahead a throw a chicken breast in too. 

The only real difference from this dish and those served in the restaurants is that this typically arrives to the table on a hot sizzling hot plate.

And unlike my other black pepper recipe on this blog, we do not have to tenderize anything so that step is omitted here. 

We hardly ever order this dish from the restaurant anymore, because mine is better. That is unless we know the restaurant well and know they make it just as good.

Plus by eating this type of dish, you never have to feel guilty by overindulging. Because this is a super healthy meal that is packed full nutrients and contains should no msgs. Just make sure the soya sauce you use says that on the label and you will be in business. 

I like to serve this with jasmine rice on the side and will use a mini rice cooker to cook the rice. Just set it ahead of time and it will be ready when the dish is completed. 

I hope you give it a try there really isn’t much too it!

And stay tuned to this blog for more Healthy Chinese Recipes to come in the following months 🙂

Meal Prep Idea: Make enough to create a few meal prep bowls for the week ahead

If you liked this recipe? Then you will want to try my other ASIAN inspired recipes below!

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this, I want to see! Follow Canadian Cooking Adventures Instagram, snap a photo, and tag and hashtag it with @canadiancookingadventures and #canadiancookingadventures. 

Stay connected and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all of my latest recipes!

Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout, Vegetarian

Mushroom Chow Mein

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Skip the takeout and make your own Mushroom Chow Mein Noodles at home for a fraction of the cost.

Serve this alongside some Peppered Steak to make a whole Chinese inspired dinner experience. 

WHAT IS MUSHROOM CHOW MEIN

It is made with white or brown mushrooms and Chinese chow mein noodles.

If you follow my blog at all you will know that I love to make takeout inspired recipes often. I test and test them to ensure I am coming up with the healthiest and best version for my readers. 

I used to spend a lot of money on takeout, now I just make it at home. Pretty much every other day, depending on how I’m feeling. Asian cuisine has to be one of my favorites, however I do love Indian and other cuisines nearly as much.

What I like about making Chow Mein at home is that I can remove the msgs that are in most takeout dishes, while saving a ton of money cooking them at home. 

IS MUSHROOM CHOW MEIN VEGAN

Not if you put Oyster sauce in it, if you want you can use Hoisin instead then it would be.

However this recipe is 100% vegetarian as it is made with just Mushrooms and Chinese bok choy. 

Trust me, you won’t miss the meat with this one. It’s so satisfying, you’ll be craving it time and time again.

However if you want to add meat, go ahead and pick up some fast fry beef or chicken and saute that right along side the mushrooms. 

Once you learn to make this simple chow mein dish, you will be making it more often Guaranteed!

I’m the type of lady that has to try every chow mein dish whenever we go to the chinese restaurants. I do this to compare really, just kidding.

Well kinda, I mean some restaurants do it right and others so wrong. Right? It’s not always easy to find a good chow mein these days. 

But with my recipe it’s foolproof, if you follow it to a tea you will be in Chow Mein Heaven!

HOW TO MAKE MUSHROOM CHOW MEIN

  • Start by boiling the chow mein noodles, then strain and set aside. The brand I like to use can be seen below, it is very low in sodium!

  • Next, fry the chow mein noodles in a little bit of vegetable oil. 
  • In a separate pan, fry the mushrooms and bok choy till soft.
  • Make the sauce and add the mushrooms and bok choy to the noodles.
  • Pour in the sauce and add some sesame seed oil and saute for a few minutes till everything is combined and hot.
  • Serve and enjoy!

The broccoli is tossed together in the most delicious asian inspired sauce. And the chow mein noodles are fried just a bit to give it the perfect amount of cripsyness. 

The hardest part about making homemade chow mein is “chopping those vegetables”.

Once you have that part done, the rest comes together in a snap.

I have experimented with a few chow mein recipes over the years and promise you your going to love this one.

If you liked this dish, then stay tuned to this blog as I will be sharing my all time favorite recipe for seafood chow mein very soon, which contains fresh calamari and shrimp.

If you liked this recipe? Then you will want to try my other ASIAN inspired recipes below!

Notes: This recipe can also be made with just about any meat such as chinese pork, beef or shrimp.  Plus, if you like a little more heat to your dish then feel free to add more red pepper chili flakes or some fresh chili paste. You know make it your own 🙂 

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

If you make this recipe, I would love to hear about it! You can leave a 5 star review in the comments below! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Chicken, Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout

Black Bean Chicken Stir Fry

Skip the takeout tonight and try making this Black Bean Chicken Stir Fry instead. It comes together in less than 30 minutes and is inexpensive to make.

Wanting another popular Chinese recipes to serve alongside this dish? Try my Chinese Squid or my Mushroom Fried Rice

Skip the take out, this tasty dish can be served in under 30 minutes.

Making this Black Bean Beef Stir fry is easy because it uses a pre-made sauce. There are a few pre-made black bean sauces on the market. My favorite is Lee Kum Kee Black Bean Garlic Sauce. 

WHAT IS BLACK BEAN CHICKEN

It is a popular Chinese dish that has marinated chicken and vegetables all cooked together in fermented black bean sauce. 

My dish here is made with red and green peppers, onions and chicken and then is tossed in a tasty black bean sauce.

I don’t know about you but this vegetable mixture is perfect, however you can add mushrooms, broccoli or snow peas if you like too!

HOW TO MAKE BLACK BEAN CHICKEN 

You will want to start by cooking your rice, and then marinating your chicken.

Because the rest takes less than 15 minutes. I like to use a mini rice cooker, just set it and forget it.

  • Start by marinating he chicken first in water and cornstarch mixture then fry it in oil over medium heat just enough to cook it.
  • Next remove it from the wok/pan to sauté the vegetables in a black bean sauce mixture for a while.
  • Just before adding back together with the cooked chicken sauté all together for a few minutes before serving. Pretty easy huh!

This delicious and authentic stir fry takes less than 30 minutes to make too, so what are you waiting for. 

Follow along for a mouthwatering dinner that everyone is sure to love.

Then simply chop up all the vegetables and cook according to the instructions below. 

The fantastic flavors of garlic and black bean sauce gives this dish it’s amazing flavor, and the cornstarch helps to thicken it up just right.

Even though there is garlic already in the black bean sauce, it is still nice to add 2 more cloves.

You will hardly notice it since the balance of the other flavors mellows it out nicely, so don’t be afraid to add more garlic.

If you liked this recipe? Then you will want to try my other ASIAN inspired recipes below!

I’m so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe I’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox every Month!

Air Fryer, Chicken, Skip the takeout

Air Fryer Asian Chicken Drumsticks

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These Air Fryer Asian Chicken Drumsticks are sweet and sticky and are cooked to perfection in the air fryer.

CAN YOU PUT FOIL IN THE AIR FRYER

Iv’e been asked this question many times and the answer is yes.

I use it often when cooking sticky foods as the clean up after is that much easier. 

WHAT IS AIR FRYING

Air frying is a healthy alternative to deep frying food. And most air fryers have been marketed in a way to make you think that this cooking technique is best for those who make a lot of those at home.  

Well I am here to tell you that you do not need to just be a deep fried food lover to want to use this cooking method. RATHER if you love to bake food, then this is also a great alternative. And in most cases is much healthier than traditional baking methods. 

Because air frying mimics deep fried foods but uses little to no oil. And if your cooking something fatty, the fat will drip away and off the food.

So you can enjoy all the same deep – fried or baked foods that we have all come to know and love again but in a healthy way.

The air hot air is what cooks the food not the oil. If you have some frozen foods on hand, feel free to throw out any deep fryer you may have because the air fryer can now do the same job. 

But it is not only frozen food that can be cooked this way, pretty much any food you can think of can. 

If you like sweet and savory asian inspired chicken flavors, then you’re sure to want to add this recipe to your cookbook collection. 

I’m super excited to share my first Air Fryer recipe with you all today. I have been on the fence for the past year about buying an air fryer.

Mainly because I do not eat a lot of deep fried foods and also because I could not fathom spending $200 plus for ONE.  Air fryers promise that you can get that deep fried texture without all the grease.   

So recently when I came across the Gotham air fryer, that does the exact same thing as an air fryer.

And knew that I had to try it! So I’m now starting a Air Fryer collection of recipes on this blog because I have fallen in love with this NEW kitchen tool. 

CAN I USE ANY KIND OF AIR FRYER? 

YES! 

HOW TO COOK CHICKEN IN THE AIR FRYER?

  • If your using a Kitchen Top Air Fryer, follow your Air fryers cooking instructions for chicken drumsticks.
  • Then coat the Chicken in Olive Oil vs Cooking Oil = 3 tbsp per 6 legs is enough.
  • Marinated the chicken for 30 minutes before air frying.
  • Place the Chicken in or on the Air Fryer and allow it to do the Cooking.

NOTE: Each air fryer has different cooking instructions based on size and model. It is best to check with your units information in regards to cooking times and temps for chicken drumsticks

HOW TO COOK CHICKEN ON THE GOTHAM STEEL AIR FRYER? 

  • If your using the Gotham Steel Crisper I would advise to turn your oven to Conventional bake, which will make the chicken extra crispy. Otherwise if your oven does not have that setting you can simply place the crisper on the middle rack, which works well too.
  • Follow the same instructions above. 

If you have a table top Air Fryer all these recipes will work the same. Because Air Fryers all use the same type of cooking techniques. 

IS AIR FRYER CHICKEN HEALTHY? 

Yes, in comparison to other methods of cooking chicken it is. If you have never used an air fryer, now is the time. They are more affordable now than ever. Plus they are also a much healthier way to cook food, since the fat drains away and it is never deep fried.

Some people think that an Air Fryer is mostly for people who eat a lot of fried food. I admit I once was apart of that group, however I soon realised that if you like to bake foods too. Like I do, then the air fryer really cuts out a lot of the unnecessary fat.

Think of it, how do you typically bake chicken drumsticks or legs? If you are anything like me. You would place it on a pan in the oven and sometimes use a baking sheet to catch the grease. However with the air fryer it elevates the food and allows all that (FAT) to drip away. 

Plus if you use the Gotham Air Fryer it is super simple to clean, I am talking hard sticky food at the bottom of the tray slides right off. No scrubbing at all is needed, it could not be more simpular guys.

Another reason I like the Gotham Air Fryer is because it cooks more food than the typical table top Air Fryers. Because it has a lot of space on that tray !

IS AIR FRYER CHICKEN KETO?

Yes!

Wanting some more AWESOME Air Fryer recipes?

Stay tuned to this blog for more “Air Fryer“ inspired recipes to come!

★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below! ★

                                                                   

 

Chicken, Skip the takeout

Asian Chicken Drumsticks

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These Asian Chicken Drumsticks are baked in the oven in their own marinated. Which produces a tender and juicy chicken that is served best over rice. 

I really like to make these asian chicken drumsticks in my “dutch oven”.

The reason I do this is because the chicken cooks in the juices and never becomes dry.

Which works so well because this recipe is served over a bed of Jasmine rice and their is even leftover juice remaining that is uses as a sauce.

This is really a set it and forget it type recipe too, simply marinade the chicken in your dutch oven the night prior.

And take it out of the fridge and place in directly into a preheated oven at 425 f for 45 minutes. 

Meanwhile, cook some rice on the side in a rice cooker and your ready to eat a satisfying meal that the whole family is sure to love.

As with all my recipes, if you want to serve more people.

Simply double the recipe ingredients up.

Can I bake these in the oven?

Absolutely! However keep in mind they won’t be juicy and their will be no sauce for the rice. 

How to make the best baked asian chicken drumsticks

  1. Marinade– You want to marinate them overnight.
  2. Time – You do not want to bake them for more than 45 minutes.

This marinade consists of soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, black pepper.

If you follow those two tips alone you are sure to prepare the best baked chicken drumsticks. Also feel free to use bone in chicken thighs as well, those work for this recipe too

Looking for another popular chicken breast recipe?  try my “Oven Baked Chicken Breasts”? It’s a another popular one on this blog. 

If you liked this recipe? Then you will want to try my other ASIAN inspired recipes below!

Chicken, Dinner ideas, Easy Ramen Recipes, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout

Spicy Chicken Ramen Recipe

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This Spicy Chicken Ramen Noodle recipe is also known as the popular takeout dish Chicken Chow Mein.

It is made with crispy broccoli, carrots along with melt in your mouth cabbage that you’re sure to love. 

It’s so satisfying, you’ll be craving this the day you try it! 

You probably would not know it, but making this dish is simple as can be.

It’s also fresh and can be all pulled together in less than 20 minutes! 

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN RAMEN NOODLES

  • Start by cooking the noodles, to do that add them to a large pot of boiling water. Cook according to package instructions, with dry noodles it’s typically 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile add all your sauce ingredients to a medium sized bowl and whisk to combine.
  • On a large chopping board, chop the broccoli into bite size pieces along with the cabbage.
  • On another cutting board dice the chicken breasts.
  • Add the chicken breasts to the marinade and marinade in the fridge for 15 minutes!
  • Once the noodles have cooked remove them from the water, strain and set aside.
  • Now is the time to make those noodles a bit crispy. Simply add 2 tbsp of sesame oil in a large frying pan along with the olive or cooking oil and saute those cooked noodles on each side till slightly crispy and browned to your liking.
  • Remove and plate.
  • In the same pan/pot/wok add the marinated chicken and stir fry till cooked, pour in the remaining marinade along with chopped ginger and garlic.
  • Saute for 2 minutes before adding in all the chopped vegetables, simmer on medium heat for roughly 5 minutes, tossing often until the vegetables are crispy yet tender.
  • Serve over the noodles hot and enjoy!

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN RAMEN SPICY

You can make this dish as spicy as you like by simply adding in more or less of the “red pepper chili paste”. Chili paste can be found in almost every ethnic isle in your local grocery.

It last a long time and is well worth picking up.

I have made this recipe medium spicy, so even the kids can enjoy this dish with you.  

Sure you can head out to your favorite Chinese restaurant for something similar or you can learn to make it at home for a fraction of the cost. 

Plus when you make this at home, you can ensure there is no msg added or any other ingredient that your not sure of. 

Once you learn to make this simple chow mein dish, you will be making it more often Guaranteed!

It’s my go to Chicken Ramen /Chow mein dish, very very tasty!

I’m the type of lady that has to try every chow mein dish whenever we go to the chinese restaurants. I do this to compare really, just kidding.

Well kinda, I mean some restaurants do it right and others so wrong. Right? It’s not always easy to find a good chow mein these days. 

But with my recipe it’s foolproof, if you follow it to a tea you will be in Chow Mein Heaven!

So please skip the takeout tonight and learn to make this iconic dish in the comfort of your own home.

Impress yourself, I know you can do it!

The brand I like to use can be seen below, it is very low in sodium!

The chicken and veggies are tossed together in the most delicious asian inspired sauce.

And the chow mein noodles are fried just a bit to give it the perfect amount of cripsyness. 

I use a combination of olive oil and sesame oil to fry my noodles, however you can use regular cooking oil if desired.

That is what most restaurants use anyway, then a dash of sesame oil just for flavor. 

The hardest part about making homemade chow mein is “chopping those vegetables”. Once you have that part done, the rest comes together in a snap.

Actually being that this is a Vegetarian dish, it can be pulled together in less than 30 minutes.

I have experimented with a few chow mein recipes over the years and promise you your going to love this one.

Chow Mein is one of my favorite asian dishes, I will order it everytime I go to my favorite asian restaurant and I will also order it when I try new asian restaurants.

Some restaurants make their chow mein better than others, typically it has allot to do with the type of ingredients that are added to the noodles.

If you liked this dish, then stay tuned to this blog as I will be sharing my all time favorite recipe for seafood chow mein very soon, which contains fresh calamari and shrimp.

If you liked this recipe? Then you will want to try my other ASIAN inspired recipes below!

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

If you make this recipe, I would love to hear about it! You can leave a 5 star review in the comments below! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Notes: This recipe can also be made with just about any meat such as chinese pork, beef or shrimp.  Plus, if you like a little more heat to your dish then feel free to add more red pepper chili flakes or some fresh chili paste. You know make it your own 🙂 

 

Skip the takeout

Vegetable Chow Mein Noodles

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These Vegetable Chow Mein Noodles are ready in less than 25 minutes, I kid you not!

Made with crispy broccoli and melt in your mouth cabbage, your gonna to love it!

Trust me, you won’t miss the meat with this one. It’s so satisfying, you’ll be craving the crispy broccoli and cabbage more than anything else. 

Once you learn to make this simple chow mein dish, you will be making it more often Guaranteed!

It’s my go to vegetarian dish, I just love this Broccoli CHOW MEIN!

I’m the type of lady that has to try every chow mein dish whenever we go to the chinese restaurants. I do this to compare really, just kidding.

Well kinda, I mean some restaurants do it right and others so wrong. Right? It’s not always easy to find a good chow mein these days. 

But with my recipe it’s foolproof, if you follow it to a tea you will be in Chow Mein Heaven!

So please skip the takeout tonight and learn to make this iconic dish in the comfort of your own home. Impress yourself, I know you can do it!

The brand I like to use can be seen below, it is very low in sodium!

The broccoli is tossed together in the most delicious asian inspired sauce. And the chow mein noodles are fried just a bit to give it the perfect amount of cripsyness. 

I use a combination of olive oil and sesame oil to fry my noodles, however you can use regular cooking oil if desired. That is what most restaurants use anyway, then a dash of sesame oil just for flavor. 

The hardest part about making homemade chow mein is “chopping those vegetables”. Once you have that part done, the rest comes together in a snap.

Actually being that this is a Vegetarian dish, it can be pulled together in less than 20 minutes.

I have experimented with a few chow mein recipes over the years and promise you your going to love this one.

Chow Mein is one of my favorite asian dishes, I will order it everytime I go to my favorite asian restaurant and I will also order it when I try new asian restaurants.

Some restaurants make their chow mein better than others, typically it has allot to do with the type of ingredients that are added to the noodles.

If you liked this dish, then stay tuned to this blog as I will be sharing my all time favorite recipe for seafood chow mein very soon, which contains fresh calamari and shrimp.

If you liked this recipe? Then you will want to try my other ASIAN inspired recipes below!

Notes: This recipe can also be made with just about any meat such as chinese pork, beef or shrimp.  Plus, if you like a little more heat to your dish then feel free to add more red pepper chili flakes or some fresh chili paste. You know make it your own 🙂 

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

If you make this recipe, I would love to hear about it! You can leave a 5 star review in the comments below! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!