Versatile Stir Fry Delight
This Versatile Stir Fry Delight is a customizable dish that brings together a selection of your favorite proteins, vegetables, and crunchy elements for a meal that is as delicious as it is adaptable. Perfect for busy weeknights or a meal prep option, this recipe lets you mix and match ingredients based on what you have on hand, ensuring freshness and variety every time. Whether you choose tender beef or succulent chicken, paired with fresh vegetables and topped with crunchy peanuts, this stir fry is sure to please family and friends alike. Serve it steaming over rice for a complete, satisfying dish!
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Beef top round steak or chicken breasts
1 lb or 2 whole large (sliced into thin, bite-sized pieces)
Carrots
2 large (thinly bias sliced)
Tomatoes or Chinese cabbage
2 medium or 2 cups (cut into wedges and seeded or chopped)
Dry roasted peanuts or celery
1 cup or 2 stalks (crunched or thinly sliced)
Cold water
1/3 cup (none)
Cornstarch
2 teaspoons (none)
Soy sauce
2 tablespoons (none)
Dry sherry
1 tablespoon (none)
Cooking oil
2 tablespoons (for stir-frying)
Garlic clove
1 (minced)
Green onions
4 (thinly sliced)
Bamboo shoots
4 ounces (drained)
Instructions
1
Choose one protein (beef or chicken), one vegetable from the carrot/cauliflower list, another vegetable from the tomato/cabbage list, and a crunchy ingredient (peanuts or celery).
2
Prepare chosen ingredients by slicing and setting them aside. If using shrimp, ensure they are peeled and deveined. Slice the meat into thin, bite-sized pieces while it is partially frozen for easier handling.
3
In a small bowl, mix the cold water with cornstarch until smooth, then stir in the soy sauce and dry sherry. Set this sauce mixture aside for later.
4
Blanch the first chosen vegetable in boiling salted water for 3 minutes, then drain and set aside to keep it crisp.
5
Heat the cooking oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the minced garlic and sliced green onions, stir-frying for about 1 minute until aromatic.
6
Introduce the chosen crunchy ingredient along with bamboo shoots to the pan, stir-frying for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove this mixture from the wok and set aside.
7
Return to the wok and, if necessary, add more oil. Stir-fry half of the selected protein for 2 to 3 minutes or until browned. Remove the cooked protein from the pan.
8
Repeat the process with the remaining protein, ensuring it is fully cooked.
9
Add all the cooked protein back into the wok along with the previously cooked crunchy ingredient and bamboo shoots.
10
Make sure to stir the prepared soy sauce mixture well before adding it to the wok. Cook and stir until this mixture is thick and bubbly, about 2-3 minutes.
11
Finally, return the cooked vegetables to the wok. Cover and cook for an additional minute to heat everything through.
12
Serve the stir fry hot over a bed of cooked rice.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Versatile Stir Fry Delight?
It is a customizable stir-fry dish featuring a choice of protein, vegetables, and crunchy elements served over rice.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What proteins can I use for this stir fry?
You can use 1 lb of beef top round steak or 2 whole large chicken breasts.
What is the best way to slice the meat?
Slice the meat into thin, bite-sized pieces while it is partially frozen for easier handling.
What vegetables are recommended as the first option?
The recipe suggests using 2 large carrots, thinly bias sliced, or cauliflower.
What are the secondary vegetable options?
You can use 2 medium tomatoes cut into wedges and seeded, or 2 cups of chopped Chinese cabbage.
What ingredients add a crunchy element?
You can choose between 1 cup of dry roasted peanuts or 2 stalks of thinly sliced celery.
How do I prepare the sauce for the stir fry?
Mix 1/3 cup cold water with 2 teaspoons cornstarch until smooth, then stir in 2 tablespoons soy sauce and 1 tablespoon dry sherry.
Do any vegetables need to be cooked beforehand?
Yes, the first chosen vegetable (like carrots) should be blanched in boiling salted water for 3 minutes and drained.
What aromatics are used in this dish?
The recipe uses 1 minced garlic clove and 4 thinly sliced green onions.
What type of oil should I use for stir-frying?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of cooking oil.
When do I add the garlic and green onions?
Add them to the wok once the oil is heated over high heat and stir-fry for about 1 minute until aromatic.
How long should the bamboo shoots and crunchy ingredients be stir-fried?
Stir-fry the bamboo shoots and the chosen crunchy ingredient for 1 to 2 minutes.
Should I cook all the protein at once?
No, stir-fry the protein in two separate batches to ensure it browns properly.
How long does it take to cook the protein?
Each batch of protein should be stir-fried for 2 to 3 minutes or until browned.
When is the sauce added to the wok?
The sauce is added after all the protein, crunchy ingredients, and bamboo shoots have been returned to the wok.
How long does the sauce take to thicken?
Cook and stir the sauce for about 2-3 minutes until it becomes thick and bubbly.
What is the final step before serving?
Return the cooked vegetables to the wok, cover, and cook for one minute to heat through.
How should the stir fry be served?
Serve the stir fry hot over a bed of cooked rice.
Can shrimp be used in this recipe?
Yes, the instructions mention that if using shrimp, they should be peeled and deveined.
How many bamboo shoots are needed?
The recipe requires 4 ounces of drained bamboo shoots.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is described as a perfect meal prep option that ensures freshness and variety.
What is the preparation for the tomatoes?
Tomatoes should be cut into wedges and seeded.
What if I choose Chinese cabbage instead of tomatoes?
The Chinese cabbage should be chopped into 2-cup portions.
Why must the sauce be stirred before adding it to the wok?
The sauce mixture should be stirred well to ensure the cornstarch is evenly distributed before cooking.
Is this a quick recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick recipe and a one-dish meal.
What heat setting is used for the wok?
The wok or large skillet should be heated over high heat.
How many green onions are required?
The recipe calls for 4 thinly sliced green onions.
Is this dish considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy dinner option.
How much soy sauce is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.