Fuzhou Lychee Pork

Fuzhou Lychee Pork

Difficulty:★★★★☆ 681 kcal

Lychee pork is a sweet-and-sour, crispy, fragrant traditional Fuzhou (Min cuisine) dish: crisp-outside, tender-inside pork chunks coated in a glossy red sauce, with fruit adding a refreshing aroma. Lean pork is rich in quality protein, and pineapple contains dietary fiber and vitamins that help whet the appetite and cut richness. It involves cutting, battering and double frying—a bit challenging, but the steps are clear—so it suits food lovers with some cooking experience. It's on the table in about 45 minutes.

Braised Noodles with Lamb Ribs

Braised Noodles with Lamb Ribs

Difficulty:★★★★☆ 1616 kcal

Braised noodles with lamb ribs is a hearty northern Chinese home dish with rich meaty flavor and chewy noodles: the ribs are tender, and the wide noodles soak up the sauce for a satisfying bite every time. With meat, noodles and vegetables, one meal covers protein, carbs and fat for well-rounded nutrition. You stew the ribs first, then make the dough and braise the noodles, so there are a few more steps; it suits people with some cooking experience. Expect about an hour and a half in total.

Stir-fried Lotus Root Cubes

Stir-fried Lotus Root Cubes

Difficulty:★★★☆☆ 214 kcal

Stir-fried Lotus Root Cubes is a quick, simple home-style vegetarian dish. The lotus root cubes are crispy, tender, and refreshing, with a savory flavor possessing a subtle spiciness that goes very well with rice. Lotus root is rich in dietary fiber and vitamins, helping to clear heat and moisten dryness. It is easy to make; as long as you pay attention to blanching the cubes and seasoning, even kitchen beginners can easily finish it. The entire process takes about 20 minutes to get to the dinner table.