We can’t travel right now, but our tastebuds can! Use your mealtimes to transport yourself to more exotic surroundings — from the safety of your kitchen. This time round, we’re off to China (or, at least, the Chinese takeaway)…
Chicken curry
First things first: the classic Chinese chicken curry. Serve with rice or chips, or go the whole glorious 3-in-1 route and spend the rest of the evening blithely rubbing your full, carby belly. WORTH IT.
If you prefer chicken dishes with that addictive sweet-savoury flavour combo, then check out this sticky honey cashew stir-fry. The light and crispy batter is everything you want in a fakeaway.
Beef with green pepper in black bean sauce
Another familiar favourite from the takeaway, who knew this dish was so easy to recreate at home? This recipe includes fried rice, too, making it the complete meal.
Fried rice
Speaking of which, if you like fried rice as your main dish, this ginger and prawn version might be just the ticket.
If you’ve never made your own fried rice before, you’ll find our best basic method here.
Sweet and sour pork
This is one of our most popular fakeaway dishes, and with very good reason. Sweet and sticky with a light cornflour batter to tenderise the pork, we guarantee every plate will practically be licked clean.
Veggie chow mein
One for the noodle lovers, this vegetarian-friendly option can easily be adapted for carnivores with the addition of chicken or prawns.
Chinese braised pork belly
If you’re looking to make a real event out of your Chinese meal, we highly recommend this braised pork belly. You will not BELIEVE how easy it is to make a meal this impressive and tasty.
Steamed fish with ginger and spring onion
In the mood for a lighter option? This tender, juicy steamed fish infused with the aromatic flavours of ginger and spring onion might be just what you need. We’ve even included a handy work-around for those of us who don’t have steamers at home.
Fancy a challenge?
If you’re looking for a culinary project with delicious results, these steamed Chinese pork dumplings are well worth an afternoon in the kitchen.
Another one designed to take a few hours of your time, these bao buns are a great option — their mild, neutral flavour means you can fill them with almost anything you like! Make ’em veggie, crunchy and fresh; go with some sticky chicken or spicy prawns; or, for a serious treat, add slices of that braised pork belly we mentioned earlier.
Spice bag
And, of course, we couldn’t wrap this up without including everyone’s favourite low-brow high-flavour late night indulgence, the good old spice bag. Put on your stretchy pants (you know the ones), grab a beer and get stuck in.
