28 meat fried recipes

Silky crab meat stir-fried with ginger, scallions, and cooking wine, finished with wispy egg white and poured over blanched baby bok choy. A light, elegant Chinese seafood dish ready in 35 minutes.

Bacon-wrapped crabmeat balls with sherry, lemon juice, dry mustard, and fresh bread crumbs broiled until crispy. An elegant appetizer that makes about 2 dozen bite-sized hors d'oeuvres.

Reptile pot pie poaches alligator, snake, or iguana meat in a Thai-Indian curry sauce of coconut milk, fish sauce, turmeric, and coriander. Served over baby vegetables with fresh cilantro. Bold, unexpected, and surprisingly approachable.

Seafood quiche squares are a party favorite: a flaky crescent-roll crust topped with shrimp, crab and two cheeses, baked in a custard and cut into bite-size squares. Easy, crowd-feeding finger food, served warm.

Crustless crab quiche with zucchini, mushrooms, reduced-fat cheddar, and evaporated skim milk. A lighter take on quiche with both microwave and oven instructions.

Tender crepes filled with crab, mushrooms, and scallions in a white wine cream sauce, baked until heated through and broiled golden. French-inspired elegance in 45 minutes.

Persian lamb soup simmered with dried fruits (prunes, apricots, peaches), turmeric-browned onions, and a sweet-sour balance of brown sugar and citrus for comforting depth.

Layered sausage and macaroni casserole with mushrooms, cottage cheese, and Italian herbs, topped with bread crumbs. A hearty weeknight bake with big savory flavor.

Vegetarian chili with dried pinto beans, TVP, meatless meat crumbles, jalapenos, and cocoa powder for depth. A hearty, plant-based big-batch chili with serious spice and body.

Southern fried chicken done Mom's way: flour-dredged pieces covered first for juicy meat, then uncovered and cranked up for a shatter-crisp golden crust.

Mock fish Buddhist: Chinese vegetarian stir-fry with crispy fried potato slices standing in for fish, paired with snow peas and crunchy wood ear mushrooms. Traditional Buddhist temple cuisine with clever meat-free texture play.

Vegetarian fried rice with carrots, corn, bell pepper, fresh ginger, and chili flakes. No eggs, no meat, just crispy wok-fried rice loaded with vegetables and soy sauce.

Golden, crispy beer batter softshell crabs fried to perfection. The batter rests to thicken before frying, giving each crab a crunchy shell with tender, sweet meat inside.

Vegetarian Mexican chili burgers made with seven-grain cereal, brown rice, tofu, green chilies, and cumin. Pan-fried golden brown with no meat needed. Makes 12 patties.

Ginger-infused rice made by frying fresh minced ginger in oil before simmering with short-grain rice. A fragrant, simple side dish that pairs with stir-fries, curries, and grilled meats.

Deep-fried jalapeno halves packed with seasoned crab meat, garlic, and cayenne, double-breaded in cracker meal for an extra-crunchy shell. Spicy, crispy, and wildly addictive.