Although most people think of take out when they think of Chinese food, it's easy to prepare Chinese classics at home, in almost the same amount of time. A great way to get your family started on Asian at home is by preparing more North American-style foods with an Asian flair-as in our Chicken Stir Fry with Noodles or Asian Turkey Meatballs.

Once your kids are more familiar with the flavors and textures of Chinese cooking, stir fries can start making a regular appearance as easy weekday dinners.

Chinese stir fries can make it from wok to table in less than 10 minutes, and the prep work can be done up to a day in advance, or avoided altogether with precut, frozen mixed vegetables (available in most supermarkets) . Besides avoiding extra sodium and fat, making Chinese at home means that you can customize the ingredients to suit your family's tastes.

The flavorful sauces and rainbow colors of Chinese food will encourage even the pickiest of eaters to try out new twists on familiar ingredients, but if your kids are still stubbornly refusing broccoli, you can just replace it with other vegetables (get tips to help your kids eat veggies). You can also get your kids involved in preparing dessert, thanks to this Fortune Cookie craft.

Recipes

• Chow Mein Casserole
• Garlic Chicken Stir Fry
• Egg Fried Rice
• Asian Turkey Meatball Wraps
• Chicken Stir Fry with Noodles
• Fabulous Fried Rice
• Choose Your Own Adventure Stir Fry
• Sweet and Sour Meatballs
• Chow Mein Drop Cookies

Learn more about Chinese culture, or check out even more recipes in our Food Section.