A Chinese-American dish of tender beef, tossed in a rich and robust sauce, with stir fried carrots, sweet bell peppers and green onion. Serve over steamed rice or cooked Asian noodles with a side of steamed broccoli.

Mongolian Beef

Okay. I have to admit. I have been seeing copycat recipes for this thing called Mongolian Beef all over the place for years.

Although an American creation and not authentic Chinese cuisine, it seems it's a favorite from P.F. Chang's restaurant, a place I have been to exactly once in my life. That visit was in Texas of all places, when we were there visiting family. I actually don't even remember what I ordered there to be honest, except that while it was good, it wasn't the Mongolian Beef.

Leftover cooked rice is transformed into a fabulous fried rice dish that starts with bacon, onion and garlic to which leftover or thawed and cooked, frozen mixed vegetables are added along with beaten eggs, all finished with the classic Asian flavors of soy and oyster sauce.

Bacon and Egg Fried Rice

Recently we went to a hibachi dinner for a birthday celebration, and I think half of my plate was fried rice, so I had a good bit of it leftover to bring home. Okay with me!

It was so barely seasoned though, that I wasn't really super excited about eating it, but I figured I would get it home and play around with it because I hate wasting food and I absolutely love fried rice.

Ribeye steak, lightly marinated, then air-fried, combined with a mix of air-fried sweet peppers and onions and served over rice.

Air-Fryer Marinated Ribeye Steak and Peppers

Okay. I'm not gonna lie. When I first thought to do a ribeye steak, my favorite cut of steak, in an air fryer, boy was I leery about it.

I mean a good ribeye steak, besides being my favorite, is not cheap, and I was so fearful of ruining it! When I cook steaks, they are grilled most of the time, whether it's outside or inside on a countertop grill. (I love my Ninja Foodie grill and use it multiple times a week!)

Wild American shrimp, seasoned and pan-seared, with a stir-fry of fresh vegetables and an Asian inspired orange sauce. Serve over hot, steamed rice.

Spicy Orange Pecan Shrimp Stir Fry

I actually adapted this recipe from one of my older Southern Living recipe books from a long time back, just in case somebody wants to give me some guff for posting an Asian recipe... because someone will.

Hey, the reality is that Southerners eat Asian food too! We love it actually, and, in fact, one of my favorites is Chap Chae, a dish my Korean neighbor used to share with me when she made it. We've got some pretty good pho around here too, thanks to our Vietnamese population.

New Orleans Old Sober - Yakamein Beef Noodle Soup

Yak a Mein, New Orleans Old Sober Soup is most often made from beef, always includes boiled eggs, and is offered with condiments of soy sauce, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup.

Yakamein Beef Noodle Soup

Known by a couple of different names and spellings, Yakamein (Ya Ka Mein) Soup, often just called "Yock," picked up the name "Old Sober" in New Orleans, for its alleged healing powers in warding off the after-effects and resulting hangover from late night French Quarter partying.

A popular soup in several areas of the United States, Yakamein, was sold mostly in neighborhood mom and pop bodegas of New Orleans in days past but became a lost recipe there for a bit. Maybe the flooding of Hurricane Katrina contributed to that in New Orleans.

Japchae/Chap Chae - Korean Mixed Vegetables and Cellophane Noodles

A Korean-style noodle dish, made with mixed vegetables, marinated chicken or beef and cellophane noodles, finished with a soy-based sauce.

Korean Mixed Vegetables and Cellophane Noodles

The first time I tasted this dish I fell in love with it.

My neighbor, right across the street from me, was born in Korea. She married a military man and has been living in the states for many years now, but most of her family are still living in Korea. She is such a sweet and delightful person, and I love her to death.

A nice spicy main dish shrimp dish, with a touch of citrus.

Spicy Orange Garlic Shrimp

A nice spicy main dish shrimp dish with a bit of citrus and made in the skillet. Quick, light and just delish!

 

Turn that leftover pork roast and cooked rice into a quick and easy stir fry.

Step by Step Pork and Egg Fried Rice

Fried rice is perfect for using up leftovers - that leftover rice and that tail end bit of a leftover pork roast, though any leftover meat will do. Shredded beef roast, sliced steak, chopped chicken and even shrimp work well too, so be sure to save any leftover meat you have and stick it in the freezer to save for this dish.

 

A mix of assorted vegetables, stir fried in peanut oil, with strips of chicken breast, curry powder and red pepper flakes for heat, tossed with an Asian sauce.

Spicy Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry

This stir fry has a nice bite to it thanks to the seasonings - which I think is key when you are lowering your fats - but substitute your favorite seasonings here if you don't have access to those.