Moo goo gai pan is a healthy dish to order from a Chinese restaurant. It is an Americanized version of an authentic Chinese dish, with more vegetables and a thicker sauce. The dish is made up of button mushrooms, stir-fried chicken slices, and vegetables like bok choy, snow peas, water chestnuts, and bamboo shoots cooked in a light sauce made from soy sauce, sesame oil, and chicken broth. It is a good option for those watching their weight as it is low in calories, fat, and protein.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Calories | About 300 |
Fat | About 19g |
Protein | About 15g |
Carbohydrates | 14g |
Sugar | 4g |
Sodium | 746mg |
Potassium | 695mg |
Fiber | 2g |
Vitamin A | 3391IU |
Vitamin C | 15mg |
Calcium | 34mg |
Iron | 1mg |
What You'll Learn
Moo Goo Gai Pan is a healthy takeout option
Moo goo gai pan is a Cantonese translation. In Mandarin, it is pronounced "Mó Gū Ji Piàn". The dish gets its name from the ingredients it contains: "moo goo" means mushrooms, "gai" or "ji" means chicken, and "pan" means thin slices or pieces.
The Americanized version of the dish typically contains more vegetables and a thicker sauce than the traditional Chinese version. The traditional version uses a thin white sauce made with chicken broth, scallions, ginger, and garlic, while the Americanized version often includes soy sauce and oyster sauce. The choice of mushroom is flexible, but recipes usually call for button or similar varieties.
Moo goo gai pan is a nutritious option, providing lean protein from chicken and a large amount of vegetables. It is a good choice for those watching their calorie intake, as it is estimated to be around 300 calories per serving. It is also a healthier alternative to other fast food options, such as burgers and fries.
In addition to being healthy, moo goo gai pan is also delicious and satisfying. It is a quick and easy dish to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The sauce is light and savory, with a hint of sweetness. The textures of the tender chicken and crisp vegetables work well together. Overall, moo goo gai pan is a tasty and nutritious option for those looking for a healthy takeout meal.
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It's an Americanised version of an authentic Chinese dish
Moo goo gai pan is a fixture of American-Chinese cuisine. It is an Americanised version of an authentic Chinese dish, specifically a Cantonese dish. The Americanised version has more vegetables and a thicker sauce. The name "moo goo gai pan" is based on the name "moh gu gai pin", which is a literal translation of "mushroom" and "chicken pieces".
The Americanised moo goo gai pan recipe contains vegetables like bok choy and water chestnuts. The sauce in the traditional version is a thin white sauce, made with chicken broth, scallions, ginger, and garlic, but without any soy sauce. However, many American versions contain a little bit of soy sauce along with many other vegetables. You'll also find oyster sauce in some renditions.
The American Chinese Food Show has shown that many familiar "Cantonese" recipe names are derived from Taishanese pronunciation. The American-Chinese cuisine that sprang up in the 1800s was called Cantonese food, but it was actually based on cooking by Taishanese immigrants, and the English pronunciation of "moo goo gai pan" was likely based on Taishanese instead.
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The name is likely rooted in Taishanese
Moo Goo Gai Pan is a Cantonese translation. In Mandarin, it is pronounced "Mó Gū Ji Piàn". The name is likely rooted in Taishanese, a dialect of Chinese spoken in the southern province of Guangdong, from which many early Chinese immigrants to the US originated.
Moo Goo Gai Pan means "mushrooms with sliced chicken" in Cantonese. The dish is named after its two main ingredients: chicken and mushrooms.
In Mandarin, "moo goo" is "mógū", meaning mushrooms, while "gai" is "gāi", or "ji" in Mandarin, meaning chicken, and "pan" is "piàn", which translates to thin slices or pieces.
The dish is a popular American-Chinese stir-fry made with chicken and mushrooms in a savoury, delicate, and subtle white sauce. It was adapted from a Cantonese favourite called "mah gu gai pin" to become the westernised dish we know today.
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It's not the same as chicken-vegetable stir fry
Moo goo gai pan is not the same as a chicken-vegetable stir fry. While it does contain chicken and vegetables, it is distinct from other chicken-vegetable stir-fries in that it must contain mushrooms. The name "moo goo gai pan" is based on the name "moh gu gai pin," which is a literal translation of "mushroom" and "chicken pieces."
The Americanized version of the dish allows you to add whatever vegetables you want, but it is not a chicken-vegetable stir fry unless it contains mushrooms. The traditional Chinese version of the dish also uses a thin white sauce made with chicken broth, scallions, ginger, and garlic, but without any soy sauce, whereas the Americanized version often contains a little bit of soy sauce along with many other vegetables.
Moo goo gai pan is a healthy option when ordering Chinese food. It is an excellent source of protein and fiber-rich vegetables, and it does not contain the syrupy, sugary sauces that cause blood sugar spikes.
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It's one of the healthiest recipes in Chinese cuisine
Moo goo gai pan is one of the healthiest dishes you'll find on a Chinese restaurant menu. It is packed with lean protein and veggies and uses a relatively small amount of oil because it's stir-fried and not deep-fried.
The dish is an Americanized version of an authentic Chinese dish. The Americanized moo goo gai pan recipe has more vegetables and a thicker sauce, but it's not a dish that was totally invented in the U.S. The traditional Chinese version uses a thin white sauce, made with chicken broth, scallions, ginger, and garlic, but without any soy sauce. However, the American version contains a little bit of soy sauce along with many other vegetables.
Moo goo gai pan consists of button mushrooms, stir-fried chicken slices, and other veggies like bok choy, snow peas, water chestnuts, and bamboo shoots cooked in a light sauce made from soy sauce, sesame oil, and chicken broth. It's a sure bet that you'll get your protein and fiber-rich vegetables without that dreaded insulin spike.
The chicken is a lean protein, which means it doesn't have very much fat, which can help maintain a healthy lifestyle and even lose weight while helping to sustain your muscles. Chicken is also full of calcium and phosphorous, which helps strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of arthritis.
This dish is also very customizable. You can use whatever veggies your heart desires or simply whatever is in your fridge. You can also use chicken thighs instead of breasts.
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