Alright folks, gather ’round! You know I love a good shortcut in the kitchen, especially when it comes to those weeknight meals after a long day. So, I went on a quest – a frozen Chinese food quest! I’m talkin’ a full-on taste test, tried and true, the whole shebang.
First thing I did? Hit up my local grocery store. I’m talkin’ the big chains, the small ethnic markets, the works. I grabbed every bag, box, and carton of frozen Chinese food that looked remotely promising. Dumplings, noodles, entrees, you name it, I tossed it in the cart.
Then the fun began. Over the next week, I cooked and devoured (with the help of my very patient family, bless their hearts) every single item. I followed the instructions to a T, but I also experimented a bit. Some I microwaved, some I pan-fried, some I steamed. Gotta find the best method, right?
Let’s start with the dumplings. Oh man, the dumpling game is strong out there in the frozen food aisle. I tried everything from pork and cabbage to chicken and veggie. Here’s what I learned: steaming is key! Microwaving makes them rubbery, pan-frying can burn them too easily. Steaming keeps them nice and plump. I found one brand with a really good dipping sauce included, it was a game changer! I will definitely be stocking up on those.
Next up: noodles. I was really hoping for some good lo mein vibes, but honestly, a lot of the frozen noodle dishes were a bit bland. I ended up doctoring them up with extra soy sauce, sesame oil, and a little chili garlic sauce. Made a world of difference! I did find one shrimp lo mein that was surprisingly decent straight out of the bag, but I still added a little something extra. You know me, always gotta tweak things.
Now, for the entrees. This is where things got interesting. I tried everything from General Tso’s chicken to beef and broccoli. General Tso’s is always a gamble, right? Some are soggy, some are too sweet, some are just plain weird. I found one that had a nice crispy coating, even after microwaving (which I was shocked about!), and the sauce had a good kick. Beef and broccoli, on the other hand, was a bit of a letdown across the board. The beef was usually tough, and the broccoli was often mushy. I think I’ll stick to making that one from scratch.
And of course, I tried some fried rice. Honestly, frozen fried rice is usually pretty good. It’s hard to mess up rice and veggies, right? I found one brand that had a really good flavor and texture, and it was super easy to make in the microwave. Perfect for a quick lunch or side dish.
My overall conclusion? Frozen Chinese food can be a lifesaver on a busy weeknight. But you gotta know what to look for. And don’t be afraid to add your own touch! A little soy sauce, sesame oil, or chili garlic sauce can go a long way. And remember, steaming is your friend when it comes to dumplings.
- Dumplings: Steam ’em!
- Noodles: Doctor ’em up!
- Entrees: Choose wisely!
- Fried Rice: Usually a safe bet!
My Top Picks (so far!)
Okay, I can’t leave without sharing a few of my top finds. Keep in mind, taste is subjective, but these are the ones I’ll definitely be buying again:
- Those steamed dumplings with the bomb dipping sauce (you’ll know ’em when you see ’em, trust me).
- That surprisingly decent shrimp lo mein that I tweaked to perfection.
- That General Tso’s chicken with the crispy coating – a microwaving miracle!
- That reliable fried rice for a quick and easy side.
So there you have it, folks! My frozen Chinese food adventure. Hope this helps you navigate the freezer aisle and find some tasty shortcuts for your own weeknight meals. Happy eating!
