DIY Sushi Bites

This hands-on lunch is ideal for your sophisticated little sushi fan. These fillings are a good place to start, then you can branch out with other tasty tidbits. Check your supermarket's fish counter for sustainable imitation crab, made from species that have not been over-fished. Pack with edamame and a mix of soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar and grated fresh ginger for dipping.

Soy-Glazed Chicken Hot Pot

Keeping the bone in the chicken makes it moist and flavourful and takes advantage of lower-priced bone-in thighs. Using sodium-reduced chicken stock and soy sauce reduces the sodium level by more than half. Serve over a bed of whole grain rice, along with Bok Choy with Sesame Oil. Bok choy is an excellent source of folate and vitamins A and C and a source of calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium.

Catfish Maki Rolls

Maki rolls are what many people really refer to when they say 'sushi'. The rolls consist of almost any kind of filling surrounded by sushi rice, rolled up in a sheet of roasted nori (seaweed) and sliced into bite-size pieces. Tobiko, or flying fish roe, adds a hint of crunch and colour. Find tobiko, nori sheets, Sriracha and mirin in Asian supermarkets and some large grocery stores. Serve with sushi soy sauce.

Slow Cooker Smoked Ham Congee

Congee is a savoury rice porridge that can be enjoyed any time of day. Smoked ham hock adds a unique depth of flavour to this Asian staple. Look for it near the cured meat section of your grocery store.To serve, place individual bowls of garnishes, such as sodium-reduced soy sauce, sesame oil, salted Virginai peanuts, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, and sliced hot chiles, at the table and let everyone dress their own bowl to suit their tastes

Daniel's Favourite Pot Stickers

My dad is the family's official butcher and meat carver, expertly chopping barbecued duck and pork into bite-size pieces on his makeshift butcher block. When carving turkey, Dad (who loves his gadgets) always trusts his electric carving knife for what he insists is “even” slicing. That carving knife has been the butt of many jokes over the years, but using it has turned into tradition, and our turkey dinners would not be the same without it.

My mom would make Dad's favourite dumplings – called gao ji – to serve alongside a steaming bowl of congee or fried noodles. Traditionally these dumplings are pleated on one side, but we have eliminated this step to simplify the recipe. Enjoy them as is, or with a little soy sauce or Chinese red or black vinegar for dipping. You'll need at least 45 wrappers, and you can freeze any leftovers. – Irene Fong

Glazed Pork Belly in Lettuce Cups

Pork belly is easier to prepare than you might think. Like bacon, pork belly will splatter as it sears, so use a splatter screen if you have one. Cool the braised pork belly entirely for easier slicing. If you don’t want to use the lettuce cups, serve these tasty morsels over a simple bed of rice. Sprinkle with sliced green onions.

Japchae

The name for this quintessential Korean dish literally means “a mixture of vegetables.” The recipe is so easy to customize; just add your favourite veggies, such as bok choy, bean sprouts or zucchini. The sweet potato vermicelli are long, so cut them with kitchen shears to make them easier to eat.

Quick Moo Shu Pork

This meal comes together in no time thanks to packaged coleslaw, which also provides the crunch. Convenient tortillas replace the traditional small thin pancakes. Serve with a drizzle of hoisin sauce, if desired.

Chicken Adobo

There are many, many ways to make chicken adobo. I know because I've tried many recipes. I've settled on this one as my favourite.

Grilled Salmon Skewers