I must admit, cooking Chinese food is not my forte. I love Chinese food but there was never any need for me to cook them as I get them every night from home either from my mom or at occasional times at my grandma’s. The times that I do cook more Asian influenced dishes are during special family celebrations, such as Chinese New Year. Now that I live by myself, I want to create these Chinese home cooked dishes in my own kitchen. I want simple homey dishes with the familiar tastes that I grew up with. DayDayCook has answered my calls! Here are my top 5 Chinese dishes that I absolutely loved to make when I want a nutritious and delicious Chinese home cooked dinner.

Red Date Braised Chicken with Yellow Wine

This was one of the first recipes I followed from DayDayCook. I was having a girls’ dinner at my place and wanted to cook Chinese meal as a few of my girlfriends have not had a proper home cooked Chinese meal in a while. This Red Date Braised Chicken with Yellow Wine is absolutely divine! Is simple to make and is extremely nourishing for women.

Ma Po Tofu

I now understand why this is one of Norma’s favourite dish to make for Sam. Is simple, delicious and packed full of flavor! I love

Stir Fried Mung Beans

I have always love to eat Mung Beans. This dish reminds me of one of the dishes from my hometown, Hoikken Pancakes (福建薄餅), where the filling is filled with various shredded vegetables, dried bean curd and such. This is a short cut version of it, with fewer ingredients but still the same great taste. If there is any leftovers, I love to eat it as a salad the next day.

Steamed Pork Patties with Pumpkin Shio Koji

DayDayCook’s website is the place where I’ve first heard of “Shio Koji”. When this ingredient was featured as their weekly theme, I was very curious about this ingredient. Shio Koji is very popular in Japan and has many health benefits. It is an all natural seasoning made from fermenting salt and water mixture. I love the taste of Shio Koji. It is less salty and brings a slight sweetness to the dish. This steamed pork dish is one of my favourite out of the 7 under the Shio Koji theme and it has definitely replaced my grandma’s version in my kitchen. (Sorry Grams)!

Pumkin and Clams Congee

I was never a congee person as I have this idea that only sick people eat congee as most congees are quite bland. When I do make congee, I’d make it plain or just add a bit of salted egg to it. But after I saw this Pumpkin and Clams Congee, my perception changed. Mixing in pumpkin and clams in to the congee is such a great idea. It instantly elevated the congee, giving it a subtle sweetness and is very nutritious too! I love it!