Recipes

Lately I have been emailed lots of requests for Asian recipes. Apparently I am not the only one with serious takeout cravings at the moment. I honestly would have been happy sitting on the couch every night last week catching up on the DVR and eating Asian take-out from the carton. Not the prettiest picture but about all I wanted to do. You know the kind of week I mean, when you have a ton of work to do but your brain keeps telling you to creep over to the couch, put away your computer, and cross your fingers you wake up and everything magically got done. If only that happened in real life. Anyway…here are some of my favorite recipes to make your own Asian takeout at home.

1. Sesame Chicken, 5 points plus, 180 calories

I think about making this about once a week. That’s how much I love it. Honestly. If you are a fan of sesame chicken from your favorite Chinese restaurant, try this at home version. It saves you over 400 calories a serving and tastes incredible. I make it all the time.

2. Slow Cooker Butter Chicken, 6 points plus, 240 calories

It’s hard for me to order anything other than butter chicken when I go out for Indian food. I know there are healthier choices, but there is nothing I love as much. Sweet and spicy, scooped up in hot Naan bread – nothing beats it. The only problem – it is loaded with butter and cream and has about a million calories. Instead try this slow cooker version at home and save your waist line.

3. Healthy Fried Rice, 3 points plus, 128 calories

After trying about a thousand healthier fried rice recipes I finally found one I liked. It works great as a side to any Asian inspired meal and is a great way to use up leftover rice or even scrambled eggs. I like mine with lots of soy sauce and a splash of Duck sauce when I can find it.

4. Coconut Curry Shrimp, 4 points plus, 160 calories

When you are in the mood for a Thai curry, reach for this lighter version instead. Typical curries are full of high calorie coconut milk which makes them full of fat and calories. This lightened up version relies on lower fat coconut milk, lots of veggies, and shrimp to cut the calories by more than half.

5. Skinny Crab Rangoon, 1 point plus, 51 calories and Egg Rolls, 2 points plus, 85 calories

Sometimes all you want is the crunchy, salty appetizers that are typical with most Chinese takeout. This lightened up versions of Crab Rangoon and Egg rolls will help you to get the same flavor at home without all the fat. Serve them as an appetizer or full meal and all your crispy, crunchy cravings will be satiated.