Asian Hot-and-Sour Soup

Always popular in Asian restaurants, this soup is actually easy to make. Sweet chili sauce, lemongrass and fish sauce are now available in most supermarkets. Don't confuse traditional tomato chili sauce with the Southeast Asian sweet chili sauce. If you can't find it, you can use 1 tsp (5 mL) of the hotter Asian sauce or hot pepper sauce instead. Lime leaves can be found fresh, frozen and dried in Asian stores. Freeze any remaining fresh leaves, wrapped well, for up to eight weeks.

Fish in Ginger Tomato Sauce

Serve with: Rice and cucumber slices tossed with a dressing of rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, fish sauce and pepper The Philippines was a Spanish colony for more than three centuries, and its cuisine, especially that of the major cities, has incorporated some Spanish ingredients and adapted Spanish dishes to its own tastes. However, the cooking remains basically Southeast Asian in flavour, as in this traditional tomato sauce made more vibrant with ginger, an important ingredient in most fish preparations. It goes best with full-flavoured fish, such as kingfish, grouper, snapper, halibut, pickerel or catfish.

Thai-Style Lamb Rib Chops

Thai Pumpkin Coconut Soup

Pumpkin is a common ingredient in Thai cooking. Pie pumpkins are not always available in grocery stores throughout the year, but butternut squash makes a great alternative. Add another chili pepper if you like heat. For colour and added texture, sprinkle with sliced red chili pepper just before serving.

Thai Grilled Chicken

All over southeast Asia, chicken is marinated with aromatics, such as coriander and lime, then grilled and served with a dipping sauce.

Serve With: Grilled vegetables and coconut rice (replace half of the cooking liquid with coconut milk)

Vietnamese Noodles with Steak and Shrimp

Look for rice noodles in the pasta or multicultural aisles of your grocery store and keep them on hand for when you're craving something a little exotic. They cook in even less time than wheat pasta. Any width of noodle will do.

Thai Red Shrimp Curry

Fragrant Thai curry has never been easier thanks to our scrumptious recipe. For heartier appetites, serve with steamed rice.

Hanoi-Style Vermicelli Noodles with Fish

Vietnamese Grilled Pork with Rice Noodles

Cool noodles contrast with hot, succulent grilled pork loin (or use boneless chicken). You can prepare the noodles and sauce a few hours before assembly.