Top 10 Chinese Vegetarian Holiday Recipes

1. Deep-fried "Seaweed"

A fun appetizer - the "seaweed" in this recipe is actually bok choy that has been briefly deep-fried until it turns crispy. Toasted sliced almonds add extra flavor.

2. Vegetable Spring Rolls

Originally, all spring rolls had a vegetable filling, in celebration of the Spring harvest. In this recipe the rolls are filled with thinly sliced carrot, bamboo shoots, sweet red bell pepper and dried black mushrooms, flavored with oyster sauce. To turn this into a vegetarian appetizer, use vegetarian oyster sauce.

3. Vegetarian Potstickers

These potstickers are loaded with vegetables such as carrots and water chestnuts. They taste great alone or you can serve them with a ginger and soy dipping sauce.

4. Vegetarian Ham Appetizer

Sheets of dried bean curd (available at Asian markets) are softened and then marinated in a flavorful marinade made with soy sauce, fennel seeds, star anise, Szechuan peppercorns and other ingredients.

5. Fried Mock Oyster

Bean curd and seaweed are shaped to resemble oysters in this tasty vegetarian dish.

6. Vegetarian Sweet and Sour Spareribs

Walnuts take the place of pork ribs in this stir-fry recipe with pineapple, carrots and sweet and sour sauce.

7. Chinese No-Meat Balls

Beef flavored soy crumbles make a convenient substitute for ground beef in this party appetizer.

8. Vegetarian Eight Treasures

The Chinese believe eight is a lucky number - what can be luckier than this healthy dish filled with vegetables and peanuts, with wheat gluten and spicy pressed bean curd (available at Asian markets) for protein.

9. Vegetable Chow Mein

The recipe calls for egg noodles, but you can substitute pasta. For an added touch, try garnishing the chow mein with a few sprigs of fresh coriander leaves before serving.

10. Cabbage Rolls

Cabbage leaves are filled with carrot, water chestnut, mung bean sprouts and other vegetables.

More Chinese New Year Recipes
Appetizers
Main Dishes
Desserts Quick and Easy