Attempting to cook Asian inspired dishes has always been a struggle for me. Unfortunately the local Chinese take-out restaurants has spoiled my taste buds for what Asian food should taste like… that being greasy, MSG loaded, overly salty deliciousness. I have accepted the fact that these copycat recipes will never taste exactly like that beautiful take-out combo, but this is much more healthy. In fact, the fried rice was originally a Weight Watchers recipe!

Pinterest Inspired

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Asian Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 c. onion, chopped
• 2 Tbsp. minced garlic
• 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1/2 c. hoisin sauce
• 4 tsp. ground ginger
• 2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
• 1 tsp. Sriracha chili sauce
• 1/4 c. green onions, snipped
• 4 tsp. dark sesame oil
• whole Romaine lettuce leaves

Directions:

1. In a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef in olive oil. Just as the meat begins to brown add in the onion.
2. While meat and onions are cooking, in a small bowl combine the garlic, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, vinegar, and Sriracha. Pour into meat mixture.
3. Add the green onions and sesame oil and allow to cook for an additional 5 minutes or so.
4. Spoon meat into Romaine leaves.

Yields approximately 8 servings.

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Veggie Fried Rice

Ingredients:

• 2 c. uncooked white rice, steamed
• 2 Tbsp. sesame oil
• 2 packages of frozen stir fry vegetables, thawed and drained
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 tsp. minced garlic
• 1/4 c. bacon pieces
• 4 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1/4+ c. soy sauce

Directions:

1. On high medium-high heat, warm the oil in a wok. Once the oil is fragrant and very hot, add in stir-fry veggies, bacon pieces, onion, and garlic. Fry until tender and crisp.
2. Lower the heat to medium and push the veggies to the outside walls. In an open area of the skillet, fry the eggs until scrambled.
3. Add in the rice and soy sauce. Stir until everything is incorporated and add in additional soy sauce to your liking.

Yields approximately 8 servings.

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Copycat Hibachi Grill Yum Yum Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 c. mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
• 3 tsp. sugar
• 3 Tbsp. melted butter
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. garlic powder

Directions:

1. Whisk all ingredients until combined and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.

Yields enough topping for approximately 8 servings of rice and lettuce wraps.