Chinese Barbecue Sauce

 Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup ginger ale
• 2 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. five-spice powder
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced

Makes 12 Servings (2 tablespoons per serving)

1. Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until simmering.
2. Reduce the heat to low and simmer 5 minutes, or longer for desired thickness. Cool 10 minutes before using (or cool and store in a plastic or glass container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks).

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com.  This easy version of Chinese BBQ sauce can be whipped up in less than 15 minutes and it is great on shrimp, scallops or lobster tails, as well as lean pork tenderloin and pork chops. Once prepared, the sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up two weeks so plan to keep it handy so you can pull together a variety of quick meals on time-pressed evenings. The sauce gets its Asian flavors primarily from hoisin sauce and five spice powder, which is made from a combination of star anise, cinnamon, fennel, cloves and Szechuan peppercorns. Look for it on the international food aisle at your supermarket.

Soy and Ginger-Marinated Salmon

 Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. unseasoned rice wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp. packed brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. grated peeled fresh ginger
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tsp. Asian (dark) sesame oil
• 1 (1 lb.) skinless salmon fillet, cut crosswise into 8 strips
• 4 cups lightly packed baby arugula
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives
• 1 tbsp. black sesame seeds

Makes 4 Servings (1 cup salad & 2 salmon strips per serving)

1. To make the marinade, combine the vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic and 1 teaspoon of the sesame oil in a large bowl. Transfer 2 tablespoons of the mixture to a medium bowl and add the salmon, turning to coat; let marinate about 5 minutes. 
2. Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon and cook until just opaque in the center, about 2 minutes on each side. 
3. Add the arugula to the remaining vinegar mixture and toss to coat. Divide the arugula evenly among 4 plates. Top each serving with 2 salmon strips  and sprinkle with 1/2 tablespoon of the chives and 3/4 teaspoon of the sesame seeds. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW in 20 Minutes Cookbook.  Salmon grilled or sauteed is quite delicious when it's done right. The combination of soy, ginger and garlic is quite tasty and will leave you satisfied. You can enjoy this salmon with any leafy green of your choice and the meal will still be delicious. 

Sticky Sesame Chicken

Ingredients:

For the chicken:

• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp. tapioca flour
• 2 tbsp. sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 4 lime wedges

For the Marinade:

• 1/4 cup coconut aminos
• 1 tsp. granular brown sugar substitute
• 1 tbsp. fresh minced garlic
• 1 tbsp. freshly minced ginger
• 2 tsp. sesame oil
• 3 tbsp. rice wine vinegar

Makes 4 Servings

1. Pat the chicken dry. Dice into 1/2-inch pieces and season it with salt and pepper to taste. 
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the coconut aminos, sugar substitute, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, and sat and pepper to taste. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Cover and transfer to the refrigerator for 30 minutes to marinate. 
3. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large sauté pan.
4. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing the excess to drip away. Reserve the marinade. place the chicken in the hot pan and cook for 3-4 minutes per side. 
5. Add the tapioca flour to the marinade and whisk to combine. Add the marinade to the pan with the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes, until the sauce thickens. 
6. Evenly divide among 4 bowls and serve the chicken garnished with sesame seeds, cilantro and lime wedges. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 8 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the New Keto-Friendly South Beach Diet book. If you're thinking about ordering takeout, put down the phone and make this dish instead. There is nothing like succulent, juicy chicken cooked with ginger, garlic and lime for a different taste. Coconut aminos is a soy sauce substitute that is made from fermented coconut palm sap so it is soy, wheat and gluten free. You can substitute tamari or soy sauce for the coconut aminos and the dish will still be delicious. You can store this chicken dish in an airtight container for up to 4 days and it will still be good. 

Five-Spice Grilled Chicken with Asian Dipping Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 tsp. Chinese five-spice powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 4 (6 oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 4 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
• 3 tbsp. reduce-sodium soy sauce
• 2 (2-inch) pieces fresh ginger, grated (no need to peel)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Makes 4 Servings

1.  In a large shallow bowl, stir together the five-spice powder and salt. Add the chicken breasts and rub the mixture into them. Add the oil and toss to coat.
2. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the chicken on the pan and grill until cooked through and still juicy, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate, cover with foil, and let stand for 5 minutes.
3. while chicken is cooking, in a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar and soy sauce. with your hands, squeeze the grated ginger over the bowl, extracting as much juice as possible into the vinegar mixture, Add the garlic to the sauce and stir to combine.
4. Slice the chicken on the diagonal. Transfer to 4 plates and serve with small bowls of the sauce (about 2 tablespoons each) for dipping.

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Super Quick Cookbook. Here is another great way to kick-start your healthy lifestyle. You can have your Chinese and eat it too; plus, it's better than takeout. The time that it takes to make this dish is the same amount of time you would call to place and order and have it delivered to you or for you to pick it up yourself. You'll be amazed at how quick and simple tasty Chinese food can be without being fried. If you don't have five-spice powder on hand, don't worry. You can make it at home using equal amounts of cinnamon, ground cloves, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns, putting them in a coffee grinder or spice grinder and you'll have the best homemade five-spice powder in your Chinese cooking. This was a delicious dinner because the chicken was packed with flavor and the dipping sauce gives the chicken a nice kick too it. Cook this meal and you'll never order takeout again. 

Tropical Chicken Salad with Orange Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. unsweetened orange juice

1 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar

2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 tsp. table salt 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 4 cups fresh mixed baby greens 5 oz. cooked skinless boneless chicken breasts, thinly sliced 3/4 cup pineapple, cut into chunks 3/4 cup mangoes, fresh, cut into chunks 3/4 cup cucumber, seedless, cut into chunks
1/4 cup mint leaves, fresh, cut into thin strips 1/4 cup red onions, thinly sliced Make 2 Servings In a large bowl, stir together orange juice, vinegar, oil, salt and pepper until blended. Add salad greens, chicken, pineapple, mango, cucumber, mint and onion; toss to mix and coat. Serve immediately.  WW POINTS VALUE 7 pts. (3 cups per serving) Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. My mom and I had this salad for dinner this evening and it was so good. It is so deliciously filling and packed with heat and flavor from the juices and spices. What makes this salad so filling are the fruits, onion, cucumber and chicken and the flavors of orange juice, mint, and cumin. I added a pinch of ground cumin to the dressing for a more Cuban taste and it totally worked. Tropical fruit always makes your dish so refreshing. I don't even miss the store-bought dressings. The key to any fresh salad dressing is extra-virgin olive oil, citrus juice, garlic, salt, freshly ground black pepper and the herb or spice of your choice depending on what kind of salad you are making. I highly recommend cooking the chicken in Blood Fused, Persian Lime Fused or Organic Infused Olive Oil from the Imperial Olive in Williamsburg, VA. For more information, visit www.TheImperialOlive.com. This tropical salad is so quick and easy you will never order a salad out ever again.



Vietnamese-Style Vegetables with Rice Noodles

Ingredients:

• 2 ounce rice noodles
• 1 tbsp chili paste (from a jar)
• 1 tbsp Asian fish sauce
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large head broccoli, cut into small florets (4 cups)
• 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced into half-moons
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
• 4  lime wedges

Makes 4 Servings

1. Place noodles in a mediun bowl, cover with very warm tap water, and soak until softened, about 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. While noodles are soaking, in a small bowl whisk together chili paste, fish sauce, lime juice, and vinegar.
3. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil ove medium-high heat. Add broccoli and toss to coat; cook, tossing gently, until tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer broccoli to a plate.
4. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the shillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add pepper, onion and zucchini; cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables arejust beginning to soften, about 4 minutes. Return broccoli to skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes more. Stir in chili paste mixture, cover, Add cilantro and toss again. Divide among 4 plates and serve warm with lime wedges.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook. Just because it's not summer, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy summer meals in the comfort of your home. I have really come to love Asian food and I have never tried Vietnamese before. I have passed this recipe a  number of times and the picture looked so good I had to try it. This dish was LOVE AT FIRST BITE! I loved this dish because it was spicy and tangy from the flavors of chili paste, Asian fish sauce and rice vinegar which are common in Vietnamese cuisine. I really loved this dish because I loved all the vegetables with the rice noodles. The vegetables really filled me up and I really liked the rice noodles. If you love Italian pasta dishes, you will enjoy this dish. It's totally better than ordering Asian takeout, TRUST ME!! The scent of this dish is not too strong and it's really filling and delicious. This colorful dish is perfect for vegetarians and meat lovers as well. And if you really want to fill yourself up, add some shrimp. The next time you think about ordering Asian, takeout, PUT DOWN THE PHONE! Cook this dish and everyone will be happy.

 

Asian Slaw over Sliced Pineapple

Ingredients:

• 1 medium pineapple, golden variety, peeled and cored
• 2 cups shredded red cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• 1 cup uncooked jicama, peeled and cut into matchsticks (about 1/4 medium jicama)
• 3/4 cup fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup scallions, sliced
• 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 2 tsp canola oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepepr
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice

Makes 6 Servings

1. Cut six 1/2-inch-thick slices from pineapple; set aside.
2. Dice remaining pineapple (you should have about 1 cup); place in a large bowl. Add cabbage, carrots, jicama, cilantro, scallions, vinegar, oil, salt and pepper; toss to mix and coat. Let stand a few minutes for flavors to blend.
3. Arrange pineapple slices on a serving platter or 6 serving plates; top with slaw and sprinkle with sesame seeds (and lime juice, if desired). Yields 1 pineapple slice, about 1 cup slaw and 1 teaspoon sesame seeds per serving.

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. I have really become to love slaws and salads and I was craving Asian food  and pineapple today and this slaw totally hit the spot.This slaw was cool, refershing and hit the spot. It may look like a hot mess but it tastes delicious. Jicama is a sweet root vegetable that can be eaten raw and commonly found in salads. Jicama has the texture of a potato and sort of tastes like an apple. I also recommend grilling the 6 thick slices of pineapple because grilled pineapple is so heavenly delicious. I totally recommend servings this dish to family and friends because it's packed with flavor and it's fresh. If your guests include Iron Chef Morimoto and Super Chef Ming Tsai, they will be very proud of you that you made this dish, I promise.



Barbecue Salmon-Asian Fusion Style

Ingredients:

• Salmon:
• 1 1/2 lbs. skin-on salmon fillet ([4] 6 oz. fillets)
• 3/4 cup prepared barbecue sauce
• 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp finely chopped scallions
• 1 tsp finely grated ginger
• Chives, chopped, for garnish

•  Vegetables:
• 1/2 head napa cabbage
• 1/2 head radicchio
• 1 1/2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lb. oyster mushrooms, chopped
• 1 cup sake or white wine
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
 
• Chinese Mustard Sauce:
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• Dash of mustard powder
• 1/8 tsp Dijon mustard
• 3/4 tsp rice wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 tsp finely chopped scallions
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Makes 4 Servings

To make the salmon:

1. Preheat the grill. Leave skin on salmon if desired.
2. Place the barbecue sauce, vinegar, scallions and ginger in a blender and mix.
3. Start grilling the salmon to the desired doneness and baste with barbecue sauce mixture as grilling. (If you like the skin, first grill skin side down until the skin is crispy, then turn over and continue basting with barbecue sauce mixture.)

To make the Vegetables:

Take out the hard bottom center of the greens. Chiffonade the greens. Heat a saute pan over high heat. Add the oil and saute the cabbage, radicchio and mushrooms quickly. (They should stay crisp.) Before taking the vegetables out of the pan, deglaze the pan with the sake or white wine. Add salt and pepper.

To make the Chinese Mustard Sauce:

Place the mayonnaise, mustard powder, Dijon mustard, vinegar, scallion, and salt and pepper to taste in a blender and mix.

To plate:

Place sauteed vegetables in the center of each plate. Put five dots of Chinese Mustard Sauce around the vegetables. Place the salmon on top of the vegetables. Sprinkle the plates with chopped chives.

 

WW POINTS VALUE: 12 PTS

 Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Cookbook. I wanted to clean out some of the food in the fridge and I have looked at this recipe so many times I had to try it for dinner tonight. This dish appears on the menu of China Grill in Miami courtesy of Chef Keyvan Behnam.  China Grill has been a Miami hot spot since it opened in 1995 and offers "World Fusion" cuisine. The picture of this dish is beautiful and I wanted to replicate it but it didn't go that way. However, the taste of this dish is delicious and you can taste the world fusion of East-Meets-West with the Chinese flavors with the white wine and barbecue sauce and mustard. The salmon was also delicious and cooked beautifully. My mom doesn't like to eat salmon but she enjoyed this dish. I just loved how the barbecue sauce blended with the mustard sauce and how the white wine vegetables and salmon melted in your mouth. It really was funky fusion in your mouth. I highly recommend this dish on a weekend dinner or for a special occasion because this dish is worth the time and effort. It may look like a lot but it's very simple to make. Thank you Chef Keyvan Behman. I look forward to your other recipes as well. 

Grilled Sirloin Teriyaki

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 3 tbsp packed dark brown sugar
• 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
• 1 lb boneless sirloin steak, about 1/2 inch thick, trimmed of all visible fat

Make 4 servings (3 slices per serving)

1. Prepare the grill for direct heat cooking or heat a grill pan.
2. To make the marinade, in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, ginger, garlic and red pepper. Bring to a boil and cook 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool completely, about 15 minutes. Transfer the teriyaki sauce to a large bowl and add the steak, turning to coat; marinate 30 minutes.
3. Grill the steak directly over the heat or on the grill pan, 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Remove from the heat, lightly tent with foil, and let stand 5 minutes. Cut into  12 slices and serve.

WW Points Value: 4 per serving

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook and it has a new twist on sirloin that is quite delicious. It's an Asian-style beef that could pair nicely with rice and a cucumber salad. The marinade also works well with fish and shellfish, chicken and pork. Eat your heart out, Iron Chef Morimoto!