Chinese Take In

Last week I was having a major pregnancy craving for Chinese food. Normally I would cave and go to the nearest restaurant for Chinese but on this night, my husband was feeling particularly angelic and offered to make me "anything I wanted." I immediately pulled out my binder of recipes and pointed to these three items... Crab & cream cheese won-tons, ham-fried rice, and sweet & sour chicken. This meal takes a little effort and planning, but it is well worth it and you will have leftovers for a week. :)

First: The Ham-Fried Rice
The best recipe I have found is at one of my favorite recipe blogs... Favorite Family Recipes. They have an array of Asian food recipes that look really good. This Ham-Fried Rice is so delicious! I always end up with way too many helpings.

Ham Fried Rice
2 c. uncooked long-grain white rice
4 c. water
1 Tbsp. sesame oil
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1-2 c. cubed ham
3/4 cup diced veggies or peas
3 eggs, beaten
soy sauce

Cook rice according to package directions. Heat sesame oil and vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in onion. When onions become clear and light brown, add garlic. When garlic is lightly browned, add ham and cook for about 3-4 minutes or until ham is hot. Add peas or veggies and cook until tender. Stir in beaten egg and cook until egg is scrambled and firm. When rice is done, add to skillet and mix in thoroughly. Stir in soy sauce, enough to make it light brown. About 1-2 tablespoons. Serve immediately.

Second: The Sweet & Sour Chicken
I have tried a lot of different recipes for this and my favorite by far is from All Recipes... See that recipe HERE.

Sweet & Sour Chicken
1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained (juice reserved)
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 3/4 cups water
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
2 drops orange food color
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch cubes
2 1/4 cups self-rising flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 egg
2 cups water
1 quart vegetable oil for frying

In a saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups water, sugar, vinegar, reserved pineapple juice, and orange food coloring. Heat to boiling. Turn off heat. Combine 1/4 cup cornstarch and 1/4 cup water; slowly stir into saucepan. Continue stirring until mixture thickens.

Combine flour, 2 tablespoons oil, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, salt, pepper, and egg. Add 1 1/2 cups water gradually to make a thick batter. Stir to blend thoroughly. Add chicken pieces, and stir until chicken is well coated.

Heat oil in skillet or wok to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). Fry chicken pieces in hot oil until golden. Remove chicken, and drain on paper towels.

When ready to serve, layer pineapple chunks and cooked chicken pieces on a platter. Pour hot sweet and sour sauce over top.

Finally my favorite part of this meal: Crab & Cream Cheese Won-Tons
I actually came up with this recipe all on my own... Yay me! Everyone that I make these for absolutely loves them so I tend to think I am an expert. :)

Crab & Cream Cheese Won-Tons
½ package won-ton wrappers (find near produce section in grocery store)
⅔ package cream cheese, softened
1 large can crab meat (yes the REAL thing! You can use imitation if you are on a strict budget but one can of crab meat isn't too bad and well worth the splurge!)
1½ tsp. garlic powder
1½ tsp. onion powder
Salt & pepper, to taste

Mix cream cheese, crab, and seasonings together. Put 1½ tsp. in each won-ton wrapper, be careful not to over-fill. Follow instructions on won-ton wrappers about how to fold and seal. Fry in oil that has been heated to medium.

There you have it, a delicious Chinese "take-in" meal that is sure to please. My kids even love this dish.