Cold Dishes
Cold Seaweed and Cucumber
This refreshing and crunchy Jellyfish and Cucumber Salad is a delightful appetizer that combines unique textures and vibrant flavors. The jellyfish is soaked and blanched to perfection, ensuring a tender yet crisp bite, while fresh cucumber adds a cool, juicy contrast. Aromatic minced ginger and garlic, along with fragrant cilantro, elevate the dish with their bold, zesty notes. The homemade dressing—a harmonious blend of soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, and sesame oil—ties everything together with a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors. Quick to prepare yet impressive in taste, this salad is a standout dish for any occasion, offering a light and satisfying start to your meal. Enjoy the crisp, umami-rich experience that makes this recipe truly special!
Cold Tofu Skin
This refreshing and vibrant tofu skin salad is a delightful mix of textures and flavors, perfect for a light meal or side dish. Featuring tender tofu skin strips, crisp banana blossom rings, and crunchy celery, this dish is elevated by the umami-rich mushrooms and fresh scallions. The key to its deliciousness lies in the harmonious blend of ingredients, all tossed in a savory homemade sauce that ties everything together. With no cooking required beyond a quick blanch, this recipe is as easy to make as it is nutritious. Ideal for vegans and health-conscious eaters, this salad offers a satisfying bite with every forkful. Enjoy it as a standalone dish or pair it with your favorite main course for a complete meal. Simple, fresh, and bursting with flavor—this tofu skin and banana blossom salad is a must-try!
Coleslaw with Purple Cabbage
This vibrant and crunchy Asian-inspired salad combines fresh non-transgenic carrots, purple cabbage, and crisp cucumber for a refreshing bite. Thinly sliced carrots and cabbage are marinated with salt to enhance texture, then rinsed and tossed with cucumber strips. The magic lies in the zesty dressing—minced garlic blended with soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, nutty sesame oil, and fragrant white sesame seeds, finished with a touch of fresh parsley. Every forkful delivers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors with a satisfying crunch. Quick to prepare and packed with nutrients, this colorful salad is ideal as a light side dish or a healthy snack. The natural sweetness of the carrots and the bold purple cabbage make it as visually appealing as it is delicious. Ready in just minutes, this dish is a must-try for anyone craving a fresh, flavorful, and fuss-free meal!
Colorful Yam
This vibrant and nutritious stir-fry combines crisp bell peppers, sweet carrots, tender yam slices, and earthy wood ears for a satisfying, plant-based dish. What makes this recipe special is its flexibility—perfect for using up leftover veggies—and the clever trick for quickly rehydrating wood ears if you forget to soak them ahead. The scallions add a fragrant depth, while the yam’s natural mucilage creates a light, glossy coating. Quick and easy to prepare, this stir-fry highlights fresh ingredients with minimal seasoning, letting their natural flavors shine. Ideal for a healthy weeknight meal, it’s packed with texture and subtle sweetness, making it a delicious way to enjoy seasonal produce. Try it for a colorful, wholesome dish that’s as adaptable as it is tasty!
Colorful Yam
This vibrant and nutritious stir-fry combines earthy shiitake mushrooms, crunchy black fungus, and tender Chinese yam with colorful bell peppers, carrots, and sweet corn for a visually stunning vegetarian dish. The key to its irresistible texture lies in the careful preparation—blanching the vegetables locks in their crispness, while a quick wok toss with aromatic scallions, ginger, and garlic infuses every bite with savory depth. A light yet flavorful sauce of cooking wine, broth, and a hint of sesame oil elevates the natural sweetness of the ingredients. Perfectly balanced with a touch of salt and sugar, this dish delivers a satisfying mix of crisp-tender textures and umami richness. Packed with nutrients and bursting with fresh flavors, it’s a wholesome meal that’s as delightful to the eyes as it is to the palate. Ideal for health-conscious food lovers seeking a delicious meat-free option!
Cooling Lotus Root Salad
Looking for a refreshing, unique, and easy-to-make cold dish? Try this vibrant **Heart Lotus Salad**—a crisp, edible "potted plant" that’s as beautiful as it is delicious! Fresh heart lotus is washed clean and tossed in a zesty blend of vinegar, pepper powder, chili powder, cumin, and salt for a bold, aromatic kick. A drizzle of sesame oil adds a rich, nutty finish, enhancing the natural crunch of the lotus. Perfect for hot days, this elegant yet simple dish is ready in minutes and packed with refreshing flavors. Whether as a light appetizer or a cooling side, this heart lotus salad brings a playful twist to your table. Quick, healthy, and bursting with texture—give it a try and enjoy a taste of crisp, cooling delight!
Crisp Three Dice
This savory and satisfying Braised Pig's Ear Salad is a delightful mix of textures and flavors, perfect for an appetizer or side dish. Tender diced braised pig's ears, chewy dried tofu, and crisp green peppers are tossed with crunchy peanuts in a fragrant sauce made from scallion whites, sesame oil, soy sauce, and salt. The peanuts are stir-fried to perfection for extra crunch, while the blanched dried tofu soaks up the rich, umami-packed dressing. Each bite offers a harmonious balance of savory, nutty, and slightly spicy notes, making this dish a standout. Quick to prepare yet full of depth, this recipe brings together simple ingredients for a uniquely delicious experience. Ideal for those who love bold flavors and contrasting textures!
Crispy Lettuce
This sweet and spicy baby vegetable salad is a refreshing, flavor-packed dish that’s quick and easy to prepare. Fresh baby vegetables are shredded and tossed in a vibrant mix of homemade sugar syrup, tangy white vinegar, and aromatic chili-infused oil for the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory. The secret lies in the fragrant chili oil—fried just until fragrant—and the rich depth of sesame oil that ties everything together. With a touch of chicken essence for umami richness, this dish is irresistibly crisp, bright, and full of bold flavors. Perfect as a side or light appetizer, it’s a delightful way to enjoy fresh vegetables with a punchy, addictive dressing. Ready in minutes, this recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves a harmonious blend of heat and sweetness!
Cucumber Salad
This refreshing and simple cucumber salad is a perfect side dish for any meal, offering crisp, cool flavors with minimal effort. Made with just fresh cucumber and a touch of salt, this recipe highlights the natural taste of the vegetable while keeping it light and hydrating. The key to its deliciousness lies in the preparation—thinly shredded cucumber absorbs the seasoning beautifully, creating a quick and flavorful dish. Ideal for hot days or as a palate cleanser, this no-cook recipe is ready in minutes. Enjoy the satisfying crunch and clean taste of this effortless cucumber salad, a healthy and fuss-free addition to your table.
Cumin Tofu
Discover the irresistible simplicity of Pan-Fried Soft Tofu with Cumin—a quick, flavorful dish that turns delicate tofu into a crispy, aromatic delight. Soft tofu, known for its silky texture, is cut into perfect cubes and pan-fried until golden, creating a crispy exterior while staying tender inside. Lightly brushed with vegetable oil and seasoned with savory cumin powder and fresh scallions, each bite offers a fragrant, umami-rich experience. The "meat pie/potstickers" function on an electric pancake pan ensures even cooking, while a sprinkle of salt enhances the natural flavors. Perfect as a snack or side dish, this recipe highlights how minimal ingredients can create maximum taste. Crispy, fragrant, and effortlessly delicious—this tofu dish is a must-try for anyone craving a healthy yet satisfying bite!