Choose Your Own Stir Fry
Why I Love This Recipe
Ingredients You'll Need
2 tbsp. vegetable oil, divided
3/4 lb. meat or alternate (choose one or more)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. grated fresh ginger root
4 cups vegetable possibilities (choose at least three)
1/2 cup chicken, beef or vegetable broth
2 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 cup extra bonus ingredient (choose one), optional
Meat or alternate:
Boneless, skinless chicken, cut into strips
Boneless beef stir-fry strips (flank steak, sirloin, top round)
Boneless pork, cut into strips
Raw peeled shrimp
Firm tofu, cut into cubes
Vegetable possibilities:
Green or red peppers, cut into strips
Carrots, thinly sliced
Broccoli, broken into florets (stems sliced)
Zucchini, sliced
Mushrooms, sliced
Cabbage (regular or Chinese), sliced
Bean sprouts, rinsed
Celery, sliced
Snow peas, cut in half
Extra bonus ingredients:
Peanuts, coarsely chopped
Cashews, whole
Sesame seeds, toasted (don't use more than 1 tbsp.)
Crispy Chinese noodles
Directions
2 tbsp. vegetable oil, divided
3/4 lb. meat or alternate (choose one or more)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. grated fresh ginger root
4 cups vegetable possibilities (choose at least three)
1/2 cup chicken, beef or vegetable broth
2 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 cup extra bonus ingredient (choose one), optional
Meat or alternate:
Boneless, skinless chicken, cut into strips
Boneless beef stir-fry strips (flank steak, sirloin, top round)
Boneless pork, cut into strips
Raw peeled shrimp
Firm tofu, cut into cubes
Vegetable possibilities:
Green or red peppers, cut into strips
Carrots, thinly sliced
Broccoli, broken into florets (stems sliced)
Zucchini, sliced
Mushrooms, sliced
Cabbage (regular or Chinese), sliced
Bean sprouts, rinsed
Celery, sliced
Snow peas, cut in half
Extra bonus ingredients:
Peanuts, coarsely chopped
Cashews, whole
Sesame seeds, toasted (don't use more than 1 tbsp.)
Crispy Chinese noodles
Cooking Instructions
Before you start cooking, arrange all your ingredients in bowls or on plates so that they're ready to use. Once you begin cooking, it will all go very quickly; you won't have time to chop or cut anything.
In a very large skillet or wok, heat 1 tbsp. (15 mL) of the vegetable oil over high heat. Add your meat choice and stir-fry for 3 or 4 minutes until just cooked through. The amount of time will depend a little on what you're cooking. Remove to a bowl (but don't use the bowl in which you had the raw meat unless you've washed it first).
Add remaining 1 tbsp. (15 mL) oil to the pan. Throw in onion, garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute. Now begin to add the vegetable possibilities to the pan, beginning with the ones that take the longest to cook (carrots, broccoli stems, etc.) and ending with the ones that cook most quickly (bean sprouts, snow peas). Cook, stirring and tossing for about 2 minutes, then pour in the broth, cover the pan with a lid and let everything steam for 2 or 3 minutes.
In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce and cornstarch.
When the vegetables are tender but still quite crisp, return the meat (or whatever) to the pan, stir and add the soy sauce mixture. Continue to stir-fry for 1 or 2 minutes or until the sauce is thickened and glossy. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle the top with the extra bonus ingredient, if you're using one.
Serve immediately with hot cooked rice or noodles.
Ready In:
30 min.
Servings: 4