Takeout Recipes Made Healthy with Julie Albert and Lisa Gnat

Step back from the takeout menu. Yes, take a giant step back because your New Year's resolutions (Eat Healthier! Save Money! Cook More!) just got way easier to keep. With these healthy spins on traditionally fat and preservative-laden takeout-inspired eats, you'll quickly and easily discover that there's no place like home (cooking). 

 Supported by the Kolel Legacy Fund at the Jewish Foundation.

To buy the Bite me Balance cook book, click here. 

PROTEIN PACKED ASIAN CHOPPED SALAD

Sesame Soy Vinaigrette

3 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tbsp sesame oil

2 tbsp rice vinegar

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

2 tsp fresh lime juice

2 tsp honey

1 small garlic clove, finely minced

Roasted Spiced Nuts

1 cup coarsely chopped raw almonds

1 cup coarsely chopped raw cashews

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

1 tsp sugar

½ tsp kosher salt

¼ tsp ground ginger

Pinch cayenne pepper

¼ tsp lime zest

Chopped Salad

8 cups thinly sliced napa cabbage

2 cups thinly sliced purple cabbage

1 cup shelled and cooked edamame

2 mangoes, peeled and chopped

1 ripe avocado, chopped

1 cup snow peas, sliced in half on the diagonal

½ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

TAKE-OUT STYLE PEANUT NOODLES WITH TOFU

Peanut Sesame Sauce

½ cup smooth peanut butter

2 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

2 tbsp rice vinegar

2 tbsp dry sherry

1 tbsp honey

1 garlic clove, chopped

1 tsp grated fresh ginger

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp Sriracha hot sauce

4 tbsp hot water

1 (12 oz) package Chinese egg noodles, soba noodles, or thin spaghetti noodles

2 tsp sesame oil

1 (12oz) package extra- firm tofu, pressed between paper towels for 10 minutes, then cut into 1-inch cubes

1 tbsp cornstarch

¼ tsp kosher salt

⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper

2 tbsp vegetable oil, divided

1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips

1 yellow pepper, sliced into strips

1 carrot, peeled, thinly sliced on the diagonal

¼ cup chopped fresh basil

1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts, for garnish

1 tsp toasted sesame seeds, for garnish