5 Reasons to Skip Takeout Tonight

Put down the phone and pick up the wok. These simple, healthy Chinese recipes offer the flavors you love from your favorite takeout spots, in far fresher form. 

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Photo By: Alice Gao ©2014 Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Alice Gao ©2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Alice Gao ©2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Alice Gao ©2014, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Alice Gao ©2014 Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Stop Ordering

An unfortunate truth about much takeout food is that it derives flavor from sauces that are loaded with calories, fat and sugars. These fresh recipes from Ching-He Huang are lighter, better-for-you versions of some of the most-popular takeout dishes.

Posh Chopped Suey (Fragrant Chicken and Mushroom Stir-Fry)

Served over steamed jasmine rice, Ching's "posh" take on chopped suey has little in common with greasy takeout versions of the recipe. Loaded with fresh vegetables and lean strips of chicken, it's a quick and healthy dish that possesses plenty of authentic flavor, thanks to ingredients like oyster sauce, Chinese five-spice powder and dried red Sichuan chile flakes.

Get the Recipe: Posh Chopped Suey (Fragrant Chicken and Mushroom Stir-Fry)

Sichuan Orange Beef

Inspired by the use of tangerine or orange peels in Sichuan cooking, Ching incorporates fresh oranges to infuse her beef with bright citrus flavor.

Get the Recipe: Sichuan Orange Beef

Egg Fried Rice

Rice is naturally gluten-free, making it an ideal choice for those looking to cut carbs. Ching likes the nutty flavor of jasmine rice, but any long-grain cooked rice will work in this dish.

Get the Recipe: Egg Fried Rice

Vegetable Chow Mein

Advance prep is key when aiming to cook quickly. Ching chops all the vegetables and precooks the egg noodles well before heating up her wok for this 5-minute stir-fry. This entire recipe requires just 2 tablespoons of oil.

Get the Recipe: Vegetable Chow Mein

Prawn and Chive Pot Stickers

Ching's simple chive-, shrimp- and water chestnut-filled dumplings are best when dunked in her homemade soy dipping sauce.

Get the Recipe: Prawn and Chive Potstickers