If you want to eat Chinese food, but don’t want to consume too many calories, there are a few ways to achieve this. For example, you can use a low calorie sauce and a lot of veggies. You can also opt for steamed buns or dumplings instead of fried noodles.
Chop suey
If you are looking for a healthier alternative to Chinese takeout, you may want to try chop suey. This tasty dish is easy to make, and it offers a healthy balance between grains and vegetables. It is also great for those with low-fat diets.
Chop suey is a stir-fry that is often served over rice. Traditionally, it contains meat and cabbage. However, it can also be prepared with other ingredients, such as fish or shrimp.
Chop suey is characterized by its savory sauce. You can use a variety of ingredients to create the sauce, but you should keep the ratio of protein and veggies the same.
One way to make a thick sauce is to add corn starch. Other options include arrowroot and potato starch. Another popular choice is to use chicken broth instead of water.
When preparing chop suey, it is a good idea to choose a large frying pan. Having more surface area helps to retain the heat better. The best noodles to use for this dish are Asian-style noodles.
Chop suey is usually served over steamed rice. But, it can also be served over rice and fried noodles. Fried noodles are bad for heart patients, and can have a high calorie content. Those trying to lose weight should avoid fried noodles as well.
There are many variations of chop suey, and it’s important to know which ones are the most nutritious. Those who suffer from heart problems should avoid fried noodles and seafood, and those who want to maintain a low-fat diet should avoid fatty meat.
Although there is some uncertainty about the origin of the term “chop suey,” it is an essential part of the Chinese-American cuisine. It is usually served over steamed rice, and it includes a lot of vegetables.
Moo Goo Gai Pan
Moo Goo Gai Pan is a traditional Cantonese dish that is made with chicken and mushrooms. It is served with green onions. The ingredients are cooked with little oil and a sauce. In fact, it is considered a healthy Chinese dish.
The recipe for moo goo gai pan is very easy to prepare. It can be prepared in less than twenty minutes. A large skillet or wok works well for this dish.
When making moo goo gai pan, the following ingredients are essential. You can add other vegetables if you want to. For example, you can use shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, or cremini/baby bella mushrooms.
You can also add water chestnuts to the recipe. Canned water chestnuts can be found at your local grocery store. They are sliced thinly and have a slightly crunchy texture. Water chestnuts are a fun stir-fry addition.
When cooking moo goo gai pan, be sure to marinate the chicken in cornstarch and egg white before cooking. This makes the meat tender.
Once the dish is cooked, it can be served over any type of noodles. You can also use broccoli rice, linguine, and soba noodles to create a low-calorie version of the meal.
For a healthier version of this dish, choose a lean cut of chicken. Using a higher proportion of fat and oil in the dish can add up to hundreds of calories. To keep the meal healthy, try substituting low-sodium chicken broth or beef broth for the normal amount of broth.
For extra flavor, you can add garlic or ginger to the sauce. Garlic and ginger are known to lower cholesterol.
If you are looking for a way to make a meal that is low in calories and packed with nutrients, try making Moo Goo Gai Pan. It is one of the healthier Chinese dishes you can make.
Steamed buns or dumplings
If you’re looking for a healthier appetizer or snack, try steamed buns. These buns are usually made with pork or cabbage. They are also served with a vinegar dipping sauce. Depending on what you use for the dipping sauce, these buns are low in calories and sodium.
When choosing a dipping sauce, you can go with a soy sauce-based version or a vinegar sauce. The soy sauce-based version is lower in calories and sodium.
You can make your own steamed buns, too. Just remember to follow the correct procedure to ensure that your baos are cooked properly.
First, you’ll need a steamer. In order to achieve the best results, you’ll need a wok with a stainless steel steam plate. Next, you’ll need to place a wire rack in the center of the wok. Finally, you’ll need to add some oil to the bottom of the wok.
Once the water is hot, you’ll need to stir it with a chopstick. Once the water is ready, you’ll need to slowly add the yeast to the water. Yeast is a raising agent in buns. This makes the dough less chewy and fluffier.
If you’re using a non-stick pot, you’ll need to make sure that you don’t cook your bao in it. It can lose heat and result in overcooked buns.
Using a bamboo steamer will allow you to cook more buns at a time. The bamboo steamer has two tiers and has a perforated parchment paper liner. This allows steam to vent better without condensation.
As a bonus, you’ll get some of the best flavor of any Chinese dish. The buns are soft and fluffy with a moist skin.
Beef and broccoli
A lot of Chinese restaurants offer beef and broccoli as a side dish. This low calorie version can be made from scratch at home and it is delicious!
The first step to making a beef and broccoli stir fry is to make the sauce. It is simple to make and it has a few ingredients. To make the sauce you’ll need soy sauce, reduced sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, and arrowroot powder.
Depending on how much of your freezer space you have, you can store your beef and broccoli mixture in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer for up to five or six days. You can reheat it in a frying pan or in the microwave.
If you want to get really healthy, you can serve this low calorie beef and broccoli recipe with a bed of rice. Using rice instead of plain flour will make the sauce thicker.
For an extra healthy touch, you can also add a few small cauliflower florets. While this isn’t the cheapest Chinese food, it is a lot healthier than the usual takeout.
If you are not into the spice game, you can leave out the red pepper flakes.
Adding a sprinkle of sesame seeds to your beef and broccoli will give it a nice flavor boost. Also, you can serve it with noodles of your choice.
When you are ready to cook, you’ll need a large skillet. Heat it up over a medium-high heat. Add a little oil to the pan. Next, add your beef strips. Cook until brown.
Stir-frying is a fun and easy way to cook beef and broccoli. Traditionally this dish is made with flank steak.
Kung Pao chicken
If you are looking for a healthier alternative to Chinese takeout, you may want to consider making Kung Pao chicken. This popular Chinese dish is packed with vegetables, protein, and vitamins. And it’s very easy to make at home.
First, you’ll need to cut up chicken breasts into uniform strips. Then, coat them in cornstarch or sesame oil. You can also marinate the chicken in soy sauce or Shaoxing wine. Finally, you’ll need a pan to cook the chicken in.
Kung Pao Chicken is made with lean chicken breasts and is a good source of protein. This makes it a good option for diabetics who should opt for a diet that includes a lean protein. It is a great choice for weight loss.
In addition to lean protein, Kung Pao chicken also contains vitamins. For example, it is a rich source of selenium. Selenium is an antioxidant, and it protects your body from cancer and heart disease. Plus, it also helps your body produce energy.
It is also an excellent source of vitamin B-6. Vitamin B-6 is important for the health of your skin and eyes. Also, Kung Pao chicken has a lot of zinc and potassium.
As mentioned, Kung Pao chicken is low in fat and sodium. But it does contain saturated fats, which can increase cholesterol levels. So, be sure to limit your intake to keep your heart healthy.
It is important to watch your sodium consumption. This is because some people have a natural tendency to be sensitive to salt. Sodium can be reduced by measuring the salt in your dish and adjusting it accordingly. Alternatively, you can cut back on the amount of soy sauce and rice vinegar.
