Asian-Inspired Starters & Sides

This Asian shrimp soup recipe is flavored with ginger, lemongrass, crushed red pepper, coconut milk, and fresh basil. It's the perfect accompaniment to most Asian dishes.

Tofu with a crispy, crunchy sesame seed coating tops this ginger-spiked watercress and spinach salad.

Instead of a dough wrapper, like Chinese egg rolls, spring rolls encase seasoned radishes, greens, carrots, cucumbers, and other vegetables in thin, translucent rice papers.

A ginger-lime dressing tossed with broccoli and coconut adds a fresh-tasting twist to this spring roll variation.

Soy sauce, gingerroot, cabbage, and pea pods add an Asian flair to this version of a classic favorite.

A classic chutney is given an Asian twist with the addition of lemongrass, ginger, and toasted sesame seeds. Great when served with fish and poultry.

In this meatless recipe, tofu is wrapped into wonton skins with shiitake mushrooms, scallions, water chestnuts, and three Asian sauces: hoisin, soy, and chili sauce with garlic.

These tender bites of rice noodles, fresh vegetables, and herbs are traditionally served for New Year's, but are great anytime.

For a flavorful appetizer try these ground beef and vegetable bundles. Serve them with a rice vinegar-soy dipping sauce garnished with scallions.

An Asian take on a classic salad. Mirin (a sweet Japanese rice wine), ginger, and onion complement the cucumbers.

For a festive party finish, top the Chinese dim sum-style buns with black and white sesame seeds.

Long before wraps became the rage in America, Asian cooks folded savory fillings within rice-paper wrappers, thin pancakes, and lettuce leaves. The lettuce leaves provide a crisp, fresh contrast to a spicy filling.