Chinese cabbage enthusiasts rejoice! Two varieties – Napa cabbage and Bok Choy – offer a wealth of culinary possibilities. Both are highly receptive to various flavors, cooking quickly with minimal loss of nutrients. While Bok Choy tends to boast a slightly more robust taste profile compared to Napa, they’re both excellent additions to any dish.
This comprehensive article will guide you through 13 mouthwatering Chinese cabbage recipes, showcasing the versatility of these two types of Chinese cabbages in both traditional and innovative applications. Whether you’re craving authentic Asian flavors or seeking inspiration for a different culinary direction, this collection is sure to satisfy your cravings.
Chicken Napa Cabbage Wraps
Indulge in these nutritious and rejuvenating chicken and Napa cabbage wraps that make for an exceptional meal or snack option. Not only do they provide a satisfying crunch from the cabbage, but the harmonious blend of flavors and textures, including the creaminess of the filling and the softness of the wrap, results in a truly delightful experience. As a bonus, these wraps are perfect for packing into lunch boxes and will keep you refreshed throughout even the warmest winter months.
(Japanese Potstickers)Gyoza
Gyozas are a beloved Japanese side dish that can be cooked to perfection using various methods such as pan-frying, steaming, or deep-frying. The fillings of these delectable dumplings can be incredibly diverse, ranging from vegetables and meat to creative combinations of both. This recipe showcases the harmonious union of ground pork, Napa cabbage, green onions, ginger, egg, garlic, soy sauce, and sriracha sauce.
To create this culinary masterpiece, simply combine your ingredients for the filling, wrap them in gyoza wrappers, and then either pan-fry or steam them to achieve a crispy exterior and a savory interior. The result is an irresistible blend of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.
Asian Coleslaw
Indulge in the unique flavors of Asia with this delectable coleslaw recipe! A game-changer is the addition of peanut butter to the dressing, which brings together an array of mouthwatering ingredients. To craft this exceptional dressing, you’ll need a blend of creamy peanut butter, tangy rice wine vinegar, smooth vegetable oil, savory soy sauce, sweet brown sugar, spicy ginger, and pungent garlic.
For the salad itself, combine green cabbage, red cabbage, Napa cabbage with a medley of colorful accompaniments: 2 vibrant red bell peppers, 2 crunchy carrots, 6 fresh green onions, and a sprinkle of fragrant cilantro. The result is a refreshing, satisfying, and nutritious salad that pairs magnificently as a side dish for an assortment of meals.
Sesame Cabbage And Mushrooms
Indulge in the authentic flavors of your favorite take-out at home with this mouth-watering recipe. Made with an aromatic blend of shiitake mushrooms, sesame oil, crisp Napa cabbage, savory soy sauce, a pinch of black pepper, fresh cilantro, and nutty sesame seeds, this dish is sure to satisfy any craving. Simply combine all the ingredients and cook until it reaches a rich, thick consistency. Serve hot and enjoy the convenience of having endless supply at your fingertips.
Napa Cabbage Salad With Blue Cheese
The standout flavor combination in this cabbage salad is a delightful surprise. With Napa cabbage, toasted almond slices, green onions, and blue cheese at its core, this dish offers a harmonious balance of textures and tastes. To bring it all together, combine vegetable oil, vinegar, white sugar, garlic, celery seed, salt, dry mustard, and black pepper to create the dressing. Simply shake until well-mixed, then toss with the salad components.
As the flavors meld, you’ll be left with a refreshing side dish that pairs beautifully with any meal. Plus, its crunchy appeal makes it perfect for warm weather gatherings.
Sweet And Spicy Pork And Napa Cabbage Stir Fry
The harmonious union of crunchy cabbage, soft noodles, and savory pork creates a stir-fry experience like no other. The addition of Thai sweet chili sauce is the key to unlocking a flavor profile that’s both spicy and sweet, with the option to amplify the heat by incorporating red pepper flakes.
This recipe’s versatility shines through the inclusion of carrots, onions, peppers, and celery, allowing you to get creative with whatever veggies are lingering in your fridge – whether it’s broccoli, asparagus, or any other forgotten gem. With this stir-fry, the possibilities are endless!
Crab Slaw With Napa Cabbage
Savor the essence of summer with this revitalizing crab salad, an ideal treat for warm weather cravings. A medley of succulent ingredients comes together in perfect harmony: tender chunks of crab meat mingle with crunchy Napa cabbage, peppery radishes, crisp celery, pungent green onions, and briny black olives. The symphony is elevated by a drizzle of zesty red wine vinaigrette, although for a creamier twist, mayonnaise provides an equally delightful complement.
Stir-Fried Sesame Baby Bok Choy
Bok Choy can be found in two distinct forms: mature and baby varieties. The latter, being smaller in size, lends itself particularly well to quick cooking methods such as steaming, boiling, or stir-frying. For a straightforward and flavorful preparation, try pan-frying the Bok Choy with a combination of soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, garlic, and ginger. This yields crispy and delectable Chinese cabbage that pairs nicely as a side dish for a wide range of meals.
Vietnamese Rice Noodle Salad
Within 15 minutes, you can craft a refreshing and nutritious rice noodle salad, ideal for hot summer days. The dish boasts an array of crunchy, nutrient-rich vegetables, including chopped carrots, Napa cabbage, cucumber, and unsalted peanuts. A flavorful sauce, comprising garlic, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, fish sauce, salt, and sugar, elevates the noodles and vegetables to a new level when drizzled on top. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a warm-weather pick-me-up.
Chinese Cabbage Stir Fry
Indulge in a mouth-watering Chinese cabbage stir-fry, a dish that’s as satisfying as it is flavorful! With just a few simple ingredients, including pork (or skip it for a veggie option), you’ll be enjoying a savory meal with rice in no time. Start by sautéing the pork, garlic, and dried red chilies in your wok or large skillet. Once everything is well combined, add in the Chinese cabbage, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, sugar, and water.
Turn up the heat, cover the pan with a lid, and let it cook for 2 minutes. Next, stir in the Chinese black vinegar, scallions, and salt. As you take your first bite, you’ll be rewarded with tender, slightly wilted cabbage that still retains its crunch and bursts with flavor.
Chinese Restaurant-Style Stir Fried Napa Cabbage
Before diving into the world of take-out, give this restaurant-style cabbage recipe a try. With a mere handful of ingredients, including vegetable oil, garlic, Napa cabbage, carrot, oyster sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, salt, and pepper, you’ll be whipping up a stir-fry that rivals your favorite Chinese dishes in no time.
Start by heating some oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add your chopped carrot and cabbage, cooking for approximately 4 minutes until they’re tender but still crisp. Next, stir in the oyster sauce, soy sauce, and minced garlic, allowing the flavors to meld together.
With the mixture sizzling away, sprinkle in some cornstrch and continue cooking until the sauce has reached your desired level of thickness. Once it’s just right, remove from heat and stir in a drizzle of sesame oil.
Chinese Cabbage Bacon Stir-Fry
In Chinese villages, this simple yet flavorful Chinese cabbage stir-fry has become a beloved staple. The beauty of this dish lies in its minimalist ingredient list: Napa cabbage, chili peppers, garlic, vegetable oil, and water are all that’s required to bring it to life.
To prepare the dish, start by steaming the cabbage until tender, then chop it into bite-sized pieces. Next, heat some oil in a pan with crispy bacon, minced garlic, and sliced chili peppers.
Stir-fry these ingredients together until they’re well combined.
Add a splash of water to the pan, cover it with a lid, and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes. Once the cabbage is soft and tender, remove the lid and continue stir-frying until it reaches your desired level of doneness.
Final Thoughts
Chinese cabbage is a nutrient-dense vegetable that offers a wealth of health benefits. Its antioxidant-rich properties have been shown to combat cancer, premature aging, and various diseases. Not only do Bok Choy and Napa cabbage varieties boast impressive nutritional profiles, but they’re also incredibly versatile in the kitchen. They absorb flavors effortlessly, making them an excellent addition to a wide range of dishes.
With this article, you’ll gain access to 13 simple yet flavorful Chinese cabbage recipes that can be easily prepared at home. So, don’t wait any longer – fire up your stove and start cooking!
Barbara is an enthusiastic food-exploring person that goes through different culinary experiences. She got inspired by creating a pizza blog post after she tasted one of the best-selling pizzas in Toledo.