Category Archives: Asian

Sesame Shrimp and Pasta Salad

1 pound penne rigati pasta
1/2 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup lite soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup hot water
1 pound cooked medium shrimp
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Toasted sesame seeds

Cook pasta according to package directions. During last minute of cooking time add asparagus. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water until pasta and asparagus are cool. Transfer to a large serving bowl and set aside. If preparing a day ahead, bring to room temperature before serving.
Meanwhile, combine peanut butter, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Add hot water and stir until sauce is smooth, breaking up any small clumps.
Add shrimp, red pepper, green onions, and 1/4 cup of the cilantro to the pasta. Add sauce and toss to combine. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro and sesame seeds. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Sesame Chicken Noodle Bake

Asian vegetables, fresh ginger, and soy sauce recall the taste of lo mein. Break the spaghetti before cooking to make it easier to prepare and serve.

8 ounces uncooked spaghetti or linguine, broken in half
1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
1 cup red bell pepper strips
8 ounces shiitake mushroom caps, sliced
2 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cream sherry
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 cups thinly sliced bok choy
3/4 cup sliced green onions
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, divided

Cooking spray

1 cup panko (coarse, dry) breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Preheat oven to 400°.

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain well.
Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add red bell pepper strips and mushrooms; sauté 2 minutes. Add chicken, ginger, and garlic; sauté 3 minutes. Stir in soy sauce; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
Combine broth and cornstarch, stirring well with a whisk. Add broth mixture to pan, and cook 2 minutes or until mixture is slightly thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in sherry, vinegar, and crushed red pepper. Add pasta, bok choy, green onions, and 2 teaspoons sesame seeds to pan, tossing well to combine. Spoon pasta mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish lightly coated with cooking spray.
Combine breadcrumbs, butter, and remaining sesame seeds; sprinkle evenly over pasta mixture. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until breadcrumbs begin to brown.

Yield: 4 servings

Pork Fried Rice

2 cups pork tenderloin, cooked, diced
2 cups rice, cooked
1/2 cup carrots, shredded
1/4 cup scallion tops, sliced
1/4 cup frozen peas
2 eggs
dash soy sauce
dash sesame oil
dash ginger
1 teaspoon garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon white pepper

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large skillet. add 2 cups each of diced pork and rice, carrots, peas and scallions. Stir fry until hot. Add 2 beaten eggs and remaining ingredients.

Stir until eggs are set.

4 Servings

Ginger Stir-Fry Pork

2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon red pepper, flakes
2 tablespoons oil
1 pound pork, thinly sliced

Combine first 6 ingredients in a 10 inch skillet. Heat over med-high heat until bubbly. Add the pork; stir fry 3 minutes. Blend 1/4 cup water and 1 teaspoon cornstarch in a small bowl. Add to skillet, cook 2 minutes to thicken. Serve over noodles.

4 Servings

Emperor’s Shrimp

1/4 cup Spicy Sesame Sauce (see below)
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1 pound medium raw shrimp, shelled and deveined
4 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon loose green tea, preferably gunpowder
1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 2-inch-long matchstick-size strips
2 medium red bell peppers, cut into 2-inch-long matchstick-size strips
1 medium white onion, cut into 2-inch-long matchstick-size strips
6 tablespoons cashew nuts, toasted

Combine sauce and cornstarch in a bowl. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a nonstick wok or cooking pan over medium-high heat and swirl to coat pan. Add the tea and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the shrimp and stir-fry until pink, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove and place in a bowl.

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the wok. Add the bell peppers and onion and stir-fry until peppers soften, 1 to 2 minutes. Return the shrimp to the wok and stir-fry until heated through. Stir in cashew nuts. Serve hot