Chinese takeout is my weakness. When I’ve had a really hard day, I ask for Chinese takeout. When I’ve had an especially exhilarating day, I ask for Chinese takeout. When the thought of getting the freshly cleaned kitchen dirty makes me sick to my stomach, we order Chinese. And when the kitchen is simply too filthy to cook in, well, you know where this is headed.

Chinese food is super tasty, super filling (well, for an hour, at least), and relatively cheap. But it is still a budget buster for us if we spring for it more than once a month.

I’ve thought before about trying to learn how to make it myself, and on the whole, my attempts have been lackluster. What I can never seem to nail down is the sweet and savory sauces that I love so much.

But I’ve been trying out Panda Brand Ready Sauces, which were sent to me for review, and I’m totally sold on them. I will be re-stocking my kitchen with them as soon as I run out, no doubt about it. I have never before had a product get me so close to the real deal. Close enough that I’m willing to save money and make it myself (except for when the kitchen is too dirty…don’t judge).

Last week, for example, I was staring down the clock at 4:30 with absolutely no dinner plan (we eat around 5…yeah, we’re old like that). I then grabbed the Lettuce Wrap sauce, since I knew I had some leafy greens on hand and some chicken, and went to work.

Why did I choose it? Well, first, because I wanted to order Chinese takeout (obviously!). But second, because I noticed this:

I got my ingredients ready (of course I was missing half of them, so I substituted!) and in just a few minutes, I had this!

And let me just tell you, it was finger lickin’! Sweet as can be, but free of high fructose corn syrup (yay!). Also free of MSG and preservatives.

The Panda Brand Ready Sauces are just the latest in a large line of products in the Lee Kum Kee family that you should definitely check out. You can pair your Ready Sauces meal with some Annie Chun’s rice and round out the meal without having to spend any extra time cooking…it is designed to be ready FAST!

Today my family is heading back home from our Thanksgiving fun, and I can promise you this: I’ll be in the mood for Chinese food when we get home, and I WON’T be ordering takeout this time! 🙂

What’s your favorite Chinese food dish? Have you tried these sauces yet? Let me know!