A culinary journey to Asia can be just what your dinner table needs to spice things up. The cuisine of Asia is as diverse as the countries that make up the continent, each offering a unique blend of flavours and techniques that results in dishes that are delicious, healthy, and full of character. From fiery Thai curries to savoury Japanese soups, Asian recipes never fail to please the senses. This week, let's whip up an eclectic variety of dishes from the comfort of your home. You don't need to be an expert chef, just a passionate home cook willing to experiment and explore. So, let's embark on this delicious week-long adventure!
Image by Markus Luiga from Pixabay
Monday: Chinese Kung Pao Chicken
Kicking off the week is Kung Pao Chicken, a classic Chinese dish that mixes savoury, sweet, and spicy flavors. Start with chicken pieces, preferably thigh meat for extra juiciness, marinated in a blend of soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch. Cook the chicken in a hot wok, then remove it and fry dried chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns in the same wok for that signature kick. Add the chicken back in, then pour in a sauce made of Chinese black vinegar, sugar, and more soy sauce. Finish with a handful of crunchy peanuts, and you have a dish that's packed with a burst of flavours. Serve over steamed jasmine rice for a satisfying Monday dinner.
Image by Fernando Sadao Shiraishi from Pixabay
Tuesday: Vietnamese Pho
Tuesday’s dinner calls for something lighter yet packed with flavour – Vietnamese Pho. This comforting soup boasts a flavourful broth, tender slices of beef, and smooth rice noodles, topped off with fresh herbs and bean sprouts. The broth, traditionally simmered for hours with charred onions and ginger, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and beef bones, is the soul of Pho. Once the broth is ready, ladle it over cooked rice noodles and thin slices of beef. The heat from the broth cooks the beef to perfection. Finish off with a squeeze of lime, a handful of herbs, and a dash of hoisin or Sriracha sauce.
Image by Ji-yeon Yun from Pixabay
Wednesday: Japanese Miso Salmon
Japanese cuisine is renowned for its simplicity and emphasis on quality ingredients. This Miso Salmon embodies that perfectly. Marinate salmon filets in a mixture of white miso paste, mirin, soy sauce, and a bit of sugar. The miso provides a delicious umami flavor, while the mirin adds sweetness and the soy sauce brings saltiness. After marinating for a few hours, the salmon is baked until tender and flaky. Serve this with a side of steamed vegetables and rice for a wholesome, healthy dinner.
Image by Wow Phochiangrak from Pixabay
Thursday: Thai Green Curry
Thai Green Curry, with its creamy coconut milk, aromatic herbs, and a dash of heat, makes for an excellent Thursday dinner. The green curry paste, made from fresh green chilies, lemongrass, garlic, shallots, cilantro roots, and spices, is the heart of the dish. Sauté the paste in a bit of oil, add in your choice of protein (chicken, tofu, or shrimp), and then pour in a can of coconut milk for creaminess. Add some Thai eggplant or bell peppers for added crunch, and finish with a handful of fresh Thai basil. Serve with a heaping side of jasmine rice.
Friday: Korean Bibimbap
It's finally Friday, and we're celebrating with a colourful and delicious bowl of Bibimbap. This Korean dish combines rice, sautéed vegetables, meat (usually beef), a sunny-side-up egg, and gochujang (Korean chili paste). Each component is prepared separately and then assembled in a bowl. The vegetables can vary based on what's in season, but common choices include spinach, bean sprouts, carrots, and zucchini. The egg and spicy gochujang tie everything together. Bibimbap can be mixed together before eating, ensuring you get a little bit of everything in each bite.
Saturday: Indian Butter Chicken
The weekend calls for indulgence, so Saturday's pick is Indian Butter Chicken. This rich, creamy dish has chicken pieces marinated in yogurt and spices, then grilled. The sauce is made from butter, onions, garlic, ginger, and tomatoes, all blended to a smooth consistency. The chicken is simmered in the sauce until tender, and heavy cream is added for richness. The dish is finished with a sprinkling of fenugreek leaves for added aroma. The dish is usually paired with fluffy basmati rice or fresh naan bread.
Image by Blandine JOANNIC from Pixabay
Sunday: Malaysian Beef Rendang
To wrap up our exciting culinary journey, we have Malaysian Beef Rendang, a rich and tender coconut beef stew which is full of flavour and unique spices. It’s slow cooked, making it the perfect Sunday dish. This dish comprises beef that's simmered in coconut milk and a mixture of lemongrass, galangal, garlic, turmeric, ginger and chilies. As the meat stews slowly, it absorbs the flavors of all these spices, resulting in a complex-tasting dish that's aromatic, slightly sweet, and completely delicious. The long simmer also tenderizes the meat, making it melt in your mouth. Served over steamed rice, Beef Rendang is a perfect way to conclude your week of Asian culinary exploration.
Image by Robert Lens from Pixabay
There you have it – a week's worth of Asian-inspired dinners that are sure to have you feeling like you spent a month in Asia, exploring all the wonderful flavours and variety it has to offer. Happy cooking!
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