Bell peppers add texture, flavor and color to numerous Chinese dishes. Sweet red bell peppers are sometimes called “Lantern Peppers,” because their red color and shape is somewhat similar to the red lanterns displayed during Chinese festivals and holidays. Here are a number of Chinese and Asian-inspired recipes that feature bell peppers.
1. Stir-fried Chicken With Onion and Bell Peppers
Rhonda Parkinson
Bite-sized pieces of chicken breast are marinated in a flavorful marinade using both light and dark soy sauce, then stir-fried with bell pepper and onion, with a simple sauce added at the end. This recipe goes nicely with cooked rice.
2. Leftover Chicken Stir-fry With Bell Peppers
A variation on the previous recipe, using up leftover cooked chicken. This recipe is also a great way to use up leftover turkey – just substitute 2 cups of chopped cooked turkey for the chicken.3. Chinese Steak With Peppers
Beef is cooked quickly and then paired with stir-fried bell peppers, tomatoes and onion in a spicy sauce made with Worcestershire sauce.4. Mango Chicken Stir-fry
The use of red bell peppers helps provide a nice balance of colors in this recipe wfrom the Heart Smart cookbook series. The recipe includes a nutritional breakdown (each serving has under 300 calories).5. Sweet and Sour Pork
Rhonda Parkinson
The classic restaurant dish, with battered, deep-fried pork, carrots and green bell pepper added in a tangy sweet and sour sauce.
Sweet and Sour Pork With Black Rice Vinegar - a simpler, stir-fried version
Sweet and Sour Pork With Black Rice Vinegar - a simpler, stir-fried version
6. Beef and Peppers in Black Bean Sauce
A warming dish that is perfect for colder weather days – beef and bell peppers are paired with the intense flavor of black bean sauce.7. Stir-fried Beef in Black Bean Sauce
This version makes use of a variety of seasonal fall vegetables, including green beans and red bell pepper. It comes from [i]The MediterrAsian Way[/i].8. Spring Rolls
Rhonda Parkinson
Nothing beats homemade spring rolls. These spring rolls are loaded with veggies, such as sweet red bell pepper, dried Chinese (Shiitake) mushrooms, carrot, and mung bean sprouts, that lend both flavor and a variety of textures. The recipe also calls for Barbecued Pork - purchase it at Chinese/Asian markets, or make your own.
Barbecued Pork Recipe
Barbecued Pork Recipe
9. Pineapple Fried Rice
A quick and simple side dish that uses cooked shrimp and canned pineapple chunks.Thai Pineapple Fried Rice – From About.com’s Guide to Thai Food, the classic Thai recipe with the pineapple fried rice stuffed into a pineapple "boat."
