Literally meaning “fork roasted,” Char Siu is the delicious honey-glazed roasted pork with a reddish color you’ll find hanging from the butcher’s windows in Chinese/Asian markets (the red comes from the addition of food coloring). This recipe for Barbecued Pork cheats a bit since it uses ketchup, not normally found in Chinese barbecue recipes. The plus side is that it tastes delicious and uses ingredients available in most supermarkets. Besides, ketchup does have a Chinese connection - it is a descendent of a Chinese pickled fish sauce called ketsiap. The recipe has been reader-rated at 5 out of 5 stars.

_{Roast Pork at Chinatown Butcher Shop photo © copyright 2009 by Rhonda Parkinson, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

This is a great recipe for days when you want to spend a minimum amount of time in the kitchen. Egg noodles are boiled and topped with a spicy dressing made with balsamic vinegar and hot chili oil (available at Asian markets). Serve Easy Szechuan-style Noodles hot or cold, and feel free to garnish them with sesame seeds and chopped green onion if desired.

Spicy salt and pepper shrimp makes an excellent appetizer or main meal. The deep-fried shrimp shells turn a wonderful orange color, and have a crunchy texture, while the spicy seasoning adds extra flavor. Leaving the shells on protects the shrimp meat inside, so that it tastes very tender. But don’t worry – eating the shells is strictly optional!
More Stir-fried Salt and Pepper Shrimp – a quick and easy stir-fry version

_{Salt and Pepper Shrimp Photo © copyright 2005 by Rhonda Parkinson, licensed to About.com, Inc}

Can anything beat a smoothie when the weather gets warm? Fruit smoothie recipes are a great way to take the edge off summer’s heat, whether you want a quick breakfast or a cool, refreshing afternoon snack. Made with silken tofu, Blueberry Tofu Smoothie combines the tart flavor of blueberries with sweet banana and honey. This Mango Smoothie recipe pairs mango and banana with lime juice and honey. And bubble tea fans will love this Bubble Tea Smoothie made with hot black tea and an assortment of fresh fruit.
_{Blueberry Tofu Smoothie photo © copyright by Rhonda Parkinson, licensed to About.com, Inc.}