Crunchy Vegetable Stir-fry in Savory Black Bean Sauce
This vibrant and colorful vegetable stir-fry is a treat for the senses! Packed with crisp, fresh vegetables and coated in a luscious black bean sauce, it brings a perfect balance of savory umami flavors. Ideal as a vegetarian dish on its own or as a flavorful base for added proteins like chicken or beef, this dish is guaranteed to impress. Serve it over fluffy steamed rice to soak up all the delicious sauce and experience a taste that's authentically Asian and oh-so-satisfying! Perfect for a weeknight dinner or as a delightful party dish.
4
Servings
87.5
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
peanut oil
2 tablespoons (none)
green onion
1/4 cup (chopped)
fresh ginger
1 1/2 tablespoons (chopped)
garlic
1 1/2 tablespoons (minced)
sugar snap peas
1/2 lb (trimmed)
celery
1/2 cup (sliced diagonally)
carrot
1/2 cup (sliced diagonally)
mushroom
1/2 cup (sliced diagonally)
red pepper
1/2 cup (sliced diagonally)
green pepper
1/2 cup (sliced diagonally)
fermented black beans
1/4 cup (smashed)
mirin
1/4 cup (none)
chicken stock
1/4 cup (none)
cornstarch
1 tablespoon (dissolved in water)
Asian chili sauce
2 teaspoons (none)
Instructions
1
Heat the peanut oil in a large wok over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
2
Add the chopped green onion, ginger, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3
Introduce the sugar snap peas, celery, carrot, mushrooms, red pepper, and green pepper to the wok and stir-fry for 3 minutes, ensuring the vegetables maintain their crunch.
4
In a small bowl, mix the smashed fermented black beans, mirin, chicken stock, and Asian chili sauce together. Pour the mixture over the vegetables in the wok.
5
Stir in the cornstarch dissolved in water and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the vegetables evenly.
6
Remove from heat and serve immediately over steamed rice, garnished with extra green onions if desired.
Nutrition Information
3.75
Fat
12.5
Carbs
2.5
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crunchy Vegetable Stir-fry in Savory Black Bean Sauce?
It is a vibrant, colorful vegetarian-friendly dish featuring crisp vegetables coated in a savory, umami-rich black bean sauce.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What are the primary ingredients for the savory sauce?
The sauce is made from smashed fermented black beans, mirin, chicken stock, and Asian chili sauce.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, it is tagged as vegetarian; however, ensure you use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock to keep it strictly vegetarian.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 87.5 calories.
How long should I stir-fry the vegetables?
The vegetables should be stir-fried for about 3 minutes to ensure they maintain their crunch before the sauce is added.
What specific vegetables are included in this stir-fry?
The recipe calls for sugar snap peas, celery, carrots, mushrooms, red peppers, and green peppers.
How should I prepare the fermented black beans?
The fermented black beans should be smashed before being mixed with the other liquid sauce ingredients.
What type of oil is recommended for cooking?
Peanut oil is recommended for its high smoke point and flavor, heated until it shimmers.
Can I add meat to this stir-fry?
Absolutely! This dish serves as a flavorful base for added proteins like chicken or beef.
How do I thicken the stir-fry sauce?
The sauce is thickened by stirring in a mixture of cornstarch dissolved in water and cooking for 2-3 minutes.
What is mirin and why is it used?
Mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine that helps balance the savory umami flavors of the black bean sauce.
Is this dish spicy?
It has a mild to moderate heat depending on your preference, provided by 2 teaspoons of Asian chili sauce.
How should the vegetables be cut?
The celery, carrots, mushrooms, and peppers should all be sliced diagonally for an authentic look and even cooking.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides about 2.5 grams of protein.
Does this recipe include mushrooms?
Yes, it includes 1/2 cup of diagonally sliced mushrooms.
How do I know when to add the aromatics?
Add the green onion, ginger, and garlic once the peanut oil is heated until it shimmers.
What is the best way to serve this dish?
It is best served immediately over fluffy steamed rice to soak up the savory sauce.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 3.75 grams of fat per serving.
Can I substitute the chicken stock?
Yes, you can substitute chicken stock with vegetable stock or even water if preferred.
What aromatics are used in the base of the stir-fry?
The recipe uses chopped green onion, fresh ginger, and minced garlic.
What garnish is recommended?
You can garnish the finished dish with extra chopped green onions if desired.
Is this a quick meal to prepare?
Yes, it is categorized as a quick meal and an easy recipe, perfect for weeknight dinners.
How much garlic and ginger is required?
The recipe requires 1.5 tablespoons each of minced garlic and chopped fresh ginger.
What is the total carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 12.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How do I keep the vegetables crunchy?
By stir-frying them quickly over medium-high heat for only 3 minutes before adding the sauce liquids.
What category of cuisine is this recipe?
This dish is categorized as Asian cuisine.
Can I use different types of peppers?
Yes, while the recipe calls for red and green peppers, you can use any variety of bell pepper available.
How do I incorporate the cornstarch?
The cornstarch must first be dissolved in water before being added to the wok to prevent clumping.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
The recipe is tagged as gluten-free, but you should always verify that your specific brand of fermented black beans and chicken stock are certified gluten-free.