Healthy Feast From The East: 5 Clean, Asian-Inspired Recipes

If you eat clean, it's easy to get stuck in a rut of boring and bland. That Tupperware container of perfectly-proportioned tilapia, broccoli, and brown rice could hold so much more! All it takes is a little creativity—and probably a little Sriracha. Okay, a lot of Sriracha.

Yet hot sauce only goes so far. Liven up your dining experiences with bold, Asian ingredients. These versatile flavors add fun, sweet-and-spicy zest to your healthy food. By choosing healthy dressings and spices, you can boost flavor without adding extra fat, carbs, or calories.

These recipes highlight some of my favorite Asian flavors. Get ready for a garlic, ginger, chili flake, curry, soy, rice vinegar, and Sriracha bomb!

White fish is lean and high in protein, making it great for any fat-loss or muscle-building diet. Instead of throwing it in a pan with some olive oil, try adding rice vinegar and miso paste. You'll have a meal you'll want to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

• 1 tbsp miso paste
• 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsp Splenda brown sugar blend
• 1 tbsp sodium-free rice vinegar
• 4 fillets of white fish (try orange roughy, tilapia, halibut or cod)

1. Combine first four ingredients in a bowl and mix into a paste.
2. Rinse and pat dry the fish filets.
3. Place fish on broiler pan with non stick spray or tin foil.
4. Spread paste mixture on top of the fish.
5. Broil on high for 7 minutes.
6. Serve with steamed bok choy, brown rice, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

There's probably no room for regular hamburgers in your fat-loss diet. Don't despair! These turkey burgers are just the thing to tame the craving for fatty ground beef. I add some liquid aminos for an extra muscle-building pump!

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1/2 sliced red bell pepper
• 1/4 onion chopped
• 3 green onions sliced
• 2 tbsp egg white
• 2 tbsp Bragg's Liquid Aminos or low-sodium soy
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp chili flakes
• 4 leaves of butter leaf lettuce

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
2. Form mixture into 4 oz patties.
3. Grill or fry on greased pan for five minutes on each side or until thoroughly cooked.
4. Wrap with butter leaf lettuce and top with your favorite sauce.

Almost calorie- and carb-free noodles, you say? Awesome! This spicy chicken noodle dish is a great source of protein. Enjoy its intense flavor without worrying about fat and carbs.

• 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 1 cup broccolini
• 1 package of Shirataki noodles (zero calorie "miracle noodles")
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 8 oz light coconut milk (1/2 the can)
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp onion flakes
• 1/2 tsp coriander
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tbsp Thai curry paste
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1/2 tbsp lime juice
• Squeeze of Sriracha
• 1 packet of Stevia or your sweetener of choice

1. Heat coconut oil in large sauté pan over medium heat.
2. Sauté sliced chicken for 5-7 minutes.
3. Add minced garlic, red bell pepper, onion, and broccolini to pan and continue to sauté veggies until they begin to soften.
4. Add all spices and continue to stir.
5. Add coconut milk, soy sauce, lime juice, curry paste, Sriracha, and sweetener. Let simmer for three more minutes.
6. Prepare noodles according to packages directions.
7. Serve noodles in a bowl and top with chicken-curry mixture!

Store-made spring rolls are often full of calories, fat, and sodium-heavy sauces. Don't give up on them; just make your own! Use fresh vegetables and herbs to increase the nutrition content of this tasty meal.

• 1 large chicken breast, sliced
• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• Sliced ginger
• 1 tbsp chopped garlic
• 2 tbsp Splenda brown sugar blend
• Sriracha or chili paste (optional)
• Rice paper
• Lettuce
• Shredded carrots
• Bean sprouts
• Cilantro or mint

1. In a large Ziploc bag, mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, brown sugar blend, and Sriracha.
2. Add chicken to bag and marinate for at least half an hour.
3. Sauté chicken in greased pan until thoroughly cooked.
4. Meanwhile, prepare rice paper wrappers according to packing.
5. Lay the rice paper on a plate and arrange lettuce, shredded carrots, bean sprouts, and herbs.
6. Top with chicken and wrap burrito style.

What's easier than cooking in a Crockpot? Throw in some healthy ingredients, wait an hour, and voila! A delicious, protein-filled meal!

• 1 lb salmon
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp minced onion
• 1 tsp sesame seeds
• 1 tsp ginger
• Chili flakes
• 3 green onions chopped

1. Combine olive oil, soy sauce, honey, garlic, onion, sesame seeds, ginger, and chili flakes in a bowl and mix well.
2. Place salmon in Crockpot with water. Pour mixture over salmon.
3. Cook on low heat for one hour.
4. Top with green onions and serve with brown rice and broccoli.