Chinese From A Restaurant

[not2late]

Re: Chinese From A Restaurant

I love Chinese food, and I really miss it. So I have taken to making the recipes at home. I know it's not the same as eating out, but a lot of Asian people have told me the food they serve at Chinese foods have been Americanized and a lot of authentic dishes don't have cornstarch or lots of sugar (sugar depending on the area of Chinese or Asian cooking).

That's very true. Unfortunately, it speaks volumes about the "American" tastebud----it likes sweet things.

[Alaskansonya]

Re: Chinese From A Restaurant

Unfortunately, not even miso soup is Induction friendly. Miso is a fermented soybean paste. Soybeans are legumes and are, therefore, not allowed during Induction.

Oh my gosh!! I didn't realize! Okay, so none of that too. bummer deal...

Thai food, often contains, added sugars or ingredients that are not on the Induction acceptable foods list, like tamarind. This is how they achieve the flavor characteristics of sweet, salty, bitter and sour within a single dish.

Hmmm okay...I hadn't tried to go there yet, so will stay clear.

Greek food: if you get solid chunks of lamb or some other meat. But things like gyro meat---beware. Sometimes gyro meat is a lamb meatloaf with added grain/starch fillers. If you can get authentic gyro meat, which is just chunks of lamb skewered onto a large skewer and roasted, that's great. But if you get "gyro" meat (the lamb meatloaf), best to avoid it.

Okay, RATS!!! I had been having a gyro salad with that typical kind of gyro "loaf" type meat...didn't know it had fillers as I had asked and they said it didn't. I don't think the waitress knew either. Okay, will go back to the grilled chicken salad from them.

Italian food: same as Greek---you have to watch it because occasionally the meats are coated in flour before sauteeing or stuffings/fillings have bread crumbs.

Thanks...will be careful of that.

French cuisine: same as Italian: flour coated meats, flour added to give extra stability to sauces (in particular hollandaise and bearnaise---an inexperienced kitchen will cheat and add a starch thickener because they aren't proficient in making it the real way), etc. Even the onion soup isn't safe because the more modern recipes "speed up" the caramelization process of the onions by adding sugar. Traditionally, the onions are slowly cooked. But that is time consuming.

Okay, yeah I have been concerned about the 'grilled' and 'carmellized' onions that I have been getting on steaks too. Maybe I better not get those anymore.

I know I sound like a curmudgeon with this post, but this thread IS in the 14 Day Induction Forum. As the forum description reads:
For all beginners of the Atkins Diet. This forum will help you along your first 14 days of the Induction Phase. Note: We are strictly by the book in this forum (DANDR - 2002). I don't want to endanger anyone's Induction by giving advice that has the potential to sabotage their weight loss.

No, you are fine, I needed to hear this great info that you gave out. I just hope to find decent dishes at some of my hubbies faves...I could just let him order take out from his fave places, while I get takeout from mine!

[Elizellen]

Re: Chinese From A Restaurant

Okay, RATS!!! I had been having a gyro salad with that typical kind of gyro "loaf" type meat...didn't know it had fillers as I had asked and they said it didn't. I don't think the waitress knew either

If you can get sight of the wrapper it comes in (most UK places buy the 'elephant leg' already made) it might be OK, as the genuine greek recipe only has meat and spices in it.
It is probably only the cheaper manufacturer's who add wheat/breadcrumbs/starches to bulk it out.

[Alaskansonya]

Re: Chinese From A Restaurant

yeah, I will ask again, next time I go there. But I doubt I will get a peek at the wrapper. They are a nicer restaurant and you can't see the kitchen. I will be more careful though. Maybe I could order Souvlaki? I wonder if they coat the meat in anything? Probably will have to ask...also could try to order just a greek salad?

[not2late]

Re: Chinese From A Restaurant

If the gyro meat looks like real meat---that you can see the meat fibers like you would in a steak or a roast, then it is probably the authentic gyro meat Elizellen mentioned. But if the gyro meat looks processed with the texture of hotdog meat or bologna, then it's probably that lamb loaf stuff.

[Mfit4me]

Re: Chinese From A Restaurant

Good point about sauces, Megs! See, Mfit4me, that's why it's a good idea to ask for sauces to be served on a side, as it was suggested above.

Personally, I wouldn't worry much about walnuts. Maybe there's 1/2 oz per serving... and it's true that walnuts are not allowed in the first two weeks of Induction... but when eating out, I've always tried to make the best choices instead of agonizing over 1/2 oz of walnuts or 1/2 oz of shredded carrot.

Do you like cooking, Mfit4me? I think we had a thread somewhere around here with Chinese recipes you can make at home?

I do love to cook. I was just having one of those lazy days. Regarding the book, does Sams Club have it? Would rather buy it at a store then order online

[mission to lose]

Re: Chinese From A Restaurant

I do love to cook. I was just having one of those lazy days. Regarding the book, does Sams Club have it? Would rather buy it at a store then order online

Do you mean Dr. Atkins in Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, 2002 ed?

Why don't you call your local Sams and ask.
Even if they normally carry it, you should check and see if YOUR store has it in stock. That way even if they normally sell it, you won't waste a trip.

[jcapulet]

Re: Chinese From A Restaurant

I'm confused. I thought Dr. Atkins said egg drop soup was ok?

[jcapulet]

Re: Chinese From A Restaurant

Japanese...can only find miso soup to be okay there.
thai...not sure

In a Japanese restaurant, you can have sashimi, which is just assorted pieces of the raw fish, without the sushi rice. They might have sushi rice on the side, but I usualy just throw it out or ignore it. It depends too, on whether you like raw fish...I love it but it's so pricey!

[Elizellen]

Re: Chinese From A Restaurant

I'm confused. I thought Dr. Atkins said egg drop soup was ok?

You are right, he did. However many restaurants make it with cornstarch, which woul not be 'legal' till the last OWL rung.
Here is one supposedly genuine restaurant menu's ingredients from allrecipe.com

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken broth, divided
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 eggs
• 1 egg yolk

You would have to ask for it to be made without cornstarch, and unless the staff have good English they might not know what you are talking about.

[jcapulet]

Re: Chinese From A Restaurant

You are right, he did. However many restaurants make it with cornstarch, which woul not be 'legal' till the last OWL rung.

Cornstarch??

Well, that stinks then.