How to Stir Fry

Stir fry is a healthy way to cook your food fast. This is an oriental method of cooking that has been adopted in many American homes. However, not all of us are experienced cooks and need some help while trying out the stir-fry recipes. It is a cooking technique that involves sauté of vegetables and proteins on high flame. Many amateur cooks tend to crowd their skillet with ingredients. This causes half-cooked or burned-up ingredients. The following paragraphs will show you the right technique.

Stir Frying Vegetables

There are certain steps that you need to follow when trying to stir fry vegetables. The first thing to understand is the temperature required for cooking. You need to work on medium heat to help cook your vegetables well. You will need about three tablespoons of cooking oil added to a non-stick wok. If you do not have a wok, you can use a non-stick skillet. While the oil is heating up, you can add a few hot chillies. This will add some spice to your vegetables.

The vegetables should be cut in similar sizes. Either cut them long or in cube, but make sure they are more or less same in size. You should begin adding the tough to cook vegetables like carrots, peppers, broccoli first. Then add the onions, cabbage, etc. that are easy to cook. Lastly add the ginger, garlic and scallions for aroma. Make sure you do not crowd your skillet or wok with vegetables. Or else your vegetables will turn out to be soggy. Keep stirring the vegetables at all times. Cook for about 3 more minutes and then you find your vegetables to be nicely cooked and crispy. Serve hot.

Recipe

Ingredients

• 1½ cups of cubed onion wedges and red bell peppers
• ¼ pounds trimmed, sliced Shiitake mushrooms and snow peas
• 2 teaspoon minced garlic and ginger root
• 1 can) drained baby corn
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 3 tablespoons salad dressing

Method of Preparation

In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. You need to add onion wedges, red bell peppers, mushrooms and snow peas to the skillet. Make sure you stir the vegetables a lot. After about 2 minutes, add garlic and ginger root and continue to cook for 1 minute and stir often. Add the remaining ingredients and cook for 1 minute or until the vegetables are crisp and tender.

Stir Frying Chicken

It is similar to the above recipe. There is one extra step that you need to follow in this case. This step includes marination of the chicken as it will prevent overcooking. Let's see how to cook chicken through this technique in detail.

You need to cut chicken into small bite size pieces. Then, marinate your chicken overnight or for a few hours. Next, cut the vegetables into small even sized pieces. In a large skillet, you need to add oil and heat it on high heat till you see smoke. Add your marinated chicken to the skillet. Continue to stir and cook the chicken till it is seared and slightly undone. Remove the chicken and place it on a plate. In the skillet containing oil, add the tough vegetables like carrots, peppers, etc. The soft veggies like onions are added after a minute or so. And lastly you can add some flavor and aroma by adding ginger and garlic. Continue to cook for 30 seconds and add the chicken back into the skillet. You can add the type of sauce you wish to use for your recipe and cook. You need to cook till the sauce thickens and all ingredients are well done. Serve hot.

Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 boneless chicken breast (skinless)
• 1 thin long sliced green bell pepper
• 1 chopped clove of garlic
• 2½ tablespoons of coconut oil
• 1 jar of sweet and sour sauce

Method of Preparation

You need to cut your chicken in small cubes and add it to the marinade mix. Keep aside. In a large skillet, you need to heat oil over medium to high heat. Add chopped garlic and add chicken. Cook till the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Now add the bell pepper and sweet and sour sauce, stirring continuously. Now, lower the heat and cover the skillet. Allow the ingredients to simmer for about 10 minutes or till until bell pepper is tender. Serve hot.

Stir Frying Tofu

Tofu is a delicate ingredient that needs a lot of cooking care. One does not want to end up with a burned tofu, therefore make sure you stay beside your tofu, while it cooks.

You need to get a well pressed, firm tofu and cut it to small ½ inch cubes. You need to take a skillet with high sides and add 1 tablespoon of oil to it. Once the oil is heated, you need to turn down the flame to medium. Then add tofu to the heated oil and continue to stir till it is slightly brown in color. Remove from heat and place it on a plate covered with paper towels. You can add vegetables to the pan and stir fry them as explained above. Then after about 2 to 3 minutes, add the tofu again. Continue to fry for another 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Your tofu dish is ready.

Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups cubed tofu
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup sliced onion
• 1 diced clove garlic
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup cut broccoli
• 16 oz. chicken broth
• 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
• 5 tablespoons Teriyaki sauce
• 1 package bean thread noodles

Method of Preparation

You need to press out the moisture from tofu gently before use. Then cut it up into 1 inch cubes. Heat oil in a skillet and add garlic. Fry for 1 minute. You can now add tofu and fry it till it brown in color. To this, add onions, mushrooms, broccoli and ½ cup of chicken broth. Cover the skillet and shimmer for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the noodles in another pot. Once the noodles are cooked, mix them together along with the remaining ½ cup broth, Teriyaki sauce and cornstarch to the tofu and vegetables. You need to continue string till the sauce thickens. Serve hot.

The above are not only very easy to cook recipes, but also a fun way of cooking. So, don your apron and get ready for some Asian action in your kitchen.