At Viet parties or special events, Chinese-style roasted meats accompanied by small steamed buns are usually on the menu. Shaped like half-moons, the plain buns are used like rolls: they are split open, a morsel of roast pork, duck, or char siu (barbecued pork) is tucked inside, and if there is a sauce, a little is drizzled over the meat. The resulting tiny sandwich is a great hors d’oeuvre or starter course. Steamed buns made from scratch take time. It is worth the effort to make your own dough for filled buns. But when you want the buns only as a small side dish, a shortcut may be in order. I learned a trick from my Chinese American friend Victor Fong, who revealed that his mom always used refrigerated biscuit dough to make the plain steamed buns she served at home. (In their 1976 book The Gourmet Chinese Regional Cookbook, Calvin and Audrey Lee mentioned a similar practice, describing it as a “guiltily traded secret in America’s Chinatowns.”) The shortcut buns are surprisingly light and spongy, a perfect counterpoint to the rich meats. Serve them with slices of Honey-Roasted Duck Legs, Char Siu Pork, or roast pork or duck bought in a Chinese barbecue shop.
A flurry of fresh tarragon makes this speedy weeknight dish of seared cod and luscious, sun-colored pan sauce feel restaurant worthy.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
This broiled hot honey salmon recipe results in sweet, spicy, glossy fish coated in a homemade hot honey glaze for an easy weeknight dinner or make-ahead lunch.
Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.
Our go-to banana bread recipe is moist, nutty, and incredibly easy to make.
As energizing as an energy bar, with a much simpler ingredient list.
This easy, one-skillet chicken stroganoff features tender chicken breasts, savory mushrooms, and a creamy Dijon-crème fraîche sauce—perfect for weeknights.
Warming harissa and cinnamon, briny olives, and sweet dried fruit make up the flavorful base for this weeknight-friendly take on tagine.