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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!

Dinner ideas, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout

Easy Cashew Chicken Recipe

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This Easy Cashew Chicken Recipe is my go to recipe for whenever I’m craving a good Cashew Chicken dinner.

Looking for another similar Chinese recipe? Try my Kung Pao Chicken with Brussel Sprouts.

It tastes just like those in the restaurants, however it can be really tweaked to your personal liking.

So if you like more cashews add those, more broccoli vs carrots add those and so on. 

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

I’m the type of lady that has to try every Cashew Chicken dish whenever we go out to eat. I do this to compare really. And this recipe really rises above the rest!

So go ahead and 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!

Cashew Chicken is one of my favorite Thai dishes, I will order it everytime I go to a Thai restaurant. Some prepare it so well and others not. Sometimes you will find it to sweet and others will not have enough cashews or will just crush them making it hard to notice. 

So when I find a restaurant that does it well, I definitely will leave them a good review on tripadvisor. 

I love making this dish at home though, and that is because I can really tweak it to my liking. 

My dish is made with fresh chicken breasts, crispy broccoli, sliced carrots, fresh garlic and ginger and sauteed in an amazing asian sauce that you’re sure to love. 

All the ingredients found in this dish can be located at pretty much any large grocery. 

Once you learn to make this simple Cashew Chicken at home, you will be making it more often Guaranteed!

WHERE WAS CASHEW CHICKEN INVENTED

This is somewhat of a complicated question, today it is known to come from Thailand and is a very popular street food expectaill in Bangkok. However, most Thai people will say it was brought over by the chinese. 

IS CASHEW CHICKEN GLUTEN FREE

No, Cashew Chicken is not Gluten free. Because of the Oyster sauce and other asian ingredients listed.

IS CASHEW CHICKEN HEALTHY

Yes, just look at all those vegetables and lean chicken meat in this dish. Also it is a great meal option for those on a Keto Diet. Because it is made with Skinless Chicken breasts and an array of vegetables. 

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

This whole meal can be pulled together in less than 30 minutes.

HOW TO MAKE CASHEW CHICKEN STIR FRY

You can use a wok or skillet, I used a wok because that is what I had available. 

  • First you will want to start by rinsing and slicing the chicken then again into medium bite size pieces.
  • Then add the chicken to the bowl and marinade with cornstarch, salt and shaoxing wine.
  • For a minimum of 30 minutes in the fridge. 
  • Meanwhile, wash and prepare the vegetables. By dicing the broccoli florets along with the carrots. 
  • Then bring a wok/pan of water to a bowl, turn down the heat and add the broccoli florets in flipping over and over for 30 seconds.
  • Remove with a strainer and set aside.
  • Do the same with the carrots.
  • Once the vegetables have been simmered, keep the water in the wok/pan.
  • Then add in the chicken, be careful not to stir too much as you don’t want to marinade to all come off.
  • Simmer in the water for roughly 5 minutes till the chicken has poached
  • Remove the chicken, strain and set up top of the vegetables. 
  • Dump the water, then and the sauce to the same wok/pan.
  • Add back in the chicken and saute for 2 minutes before adding back in the vegetables. 
  • Saute all together adding in the cornstarch/water mixture and saute till thick for another 2 minutes
  • Serve and enjoy!

HOW TO MAKE CASHEW CHICKEN SAUCE

Some people use Hoisin sauce in there sauce, I prefer Oyster which makes it less sweet.

  • Oyster Sauce – feel free to use Hoisin
  • Soy sauce
  • Cornstarch
  • Sesame oil
  • Shaoxing wine
  • Chicken stock or Vegetable
  • Sugar
  • White pepper

IS CASHEW CHICKEN SWEET

Cashew chicken should not be only sweet, however there are some places that make it sweet. Traditional Cashew Chicken should have a balance of flavors. Which make it sweet, spicy and savory!

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CASHEW CHICKEN

Basmati rice goes really well alongside this dish.

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 some red pepper chili flakes or some fresh chili paste. 

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!

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! ★

                                                                   

 

Breakfast, Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout

Chinese Eggs and Tomatoes

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This one pan Chinese Eggs and Tomatoes are served for breakfast and dinner in most asian homes. 

It is not only super simple to make it is also inexpensive and a healthy meal option. You can also find this popular dish on the menu at almost every chinese restaurants. 

We have ordered it a few times, however once you learn to make it at home you can save yourself a lot of money. 

Your sure to love this breakfast and probably will make it time and time again. Keep in mind you can make this more watery than I did, some restaurants will do that so you can enjoy it alongside a bowl of rice. 

However if that is your plan, be sure to use a watery tomato such as beefsteak. Rather than the Roma that I have used in my recipe. 

It is not only easy to make it’s also will give you the right amount of fuel to tackle the day. To prepare this dish you will simply want to start by dicing your tomatoes. Then breaking the eggs into a shallow dish to whisk into submission.

Once that is done you can heat the sesame oil up in a the pan or wok and stir fry the eggs, the bugger the egg pieces the better so do not break them up to much,

Next you will add in the tomatoes along with the salt and sugar and saute all together before serving. 

Breakfast or Dinner, totally up to you!

 

Did you try this? I would love to hear about your favorite breakfast memories in the comments below. Till next time friends, see you in the kitchen 🙂

Looking for another GREAT Breakfast recipe? Check out my Black forest ham hash browns with eggs. It’s a popular one on this blog! 

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, I appreciate every single one of you! 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, 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!

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

Simple Chow Mein Recipe

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This Simple Chow Mein Recipe can be ready in less than 20 minutes, that is why it’ s so simple to make. 

Once you learn to make chow mein at home, you will be so pleased with yourself.

Just image it’s a busy weeknight or weekend.

Your exhausted and the last thing you want to do is slave in the kitchen all night to prepare a meal. 

Having the skills to make this basic chow mein will become invaluable to you! Once you learn the basics, you then can add other ingredients to it if you want.

Such as shrimp, chicken, beef etc. However sometimes this basic cabbage, carrot chow mein is enough!

Now if you don’t know already, I love CHOW MEIN! 

And i’m confident that anyone can make these Chow Mein noodles at home, it just takes the right technique and ingredients. 

I am the type of lady that has to try every Chow Mein dish at any new chinese restaurant. I do this to compare really, just kidding. Well kinda, I mean some restaurants do it right and others so wrong. Right?

My recipe is fool proof, follow it to a tea and you will be in Chow Mein Heaven! So skip the takeout tonight and learn to make this iconic dish yourself. Impress yourself, I know you can do it!

I can see you already, curled up on the couch with this BIG old plate of fresh homemade Chow Mein noodles to yourself! Go ahead you deserve it!

The hardest part about making homemade chow mein is “chopping those vegetables”. Once you have that part done, the rest of the recipe can then be pulled together in 15 minutes flat.

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

The cabbage and carrots 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.  

This recipe can also be made with just about any meat such as chinese pork, beef or shrimp. OR make it vegetarian and add some broccoli, cauliflower etc. 

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 🙂 

Wanting to try some of my other asian inspired “Skip the takeout” dishes? 

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!