The Culinary Connoisseur
Causing a Stir
16
Mar
Mar
Stir frying Chinese cooking technique in which
ingredients are fried in a small amount of very hot oil while being stirred in
a wok. The technique originated in China but by now many countries have adopted
the technique to their own dishes. Many chefs claim that this quick, hot
cooking seals in the flavors of the foods, as well as preserving their
nutrients, color and texture.
ingredients are fried in a small amount of very hot oil while being stirred in
a wok. The technique originated in China but by now many countries have adopted
the technique to their own dishes. Many chefs claim that this quick, hot
cooking seals in the flavors of the foods, as well as preserving their
nutrients, color and texture.
Stir-frying is easily learned mastered. The key is to be prepared before you begin
cooking. Recipes often talk about
prepping ingredients before you begin; with stir-frying, this is
essential. In fact, preparing the ingredients
will take longer than cooking the dish.
Once your pan gets hot you can’t stop and chop the vegetables.
cooking. Recipes often talk about
prepping ingredients before you begin; with stir-frying, this is
essential. In fact, preparing the ingredients
will take longer than cooking the dish.
Once your pan gets hot you can’t stop and chop the vegetables.
Preparing to stir-fry will also give you some practice
with your knife skills since each ingredient will be bite sized. Chicken cutlets should be thinly sliced to
promote quick cooking. Likewise, meat
should be thinly sliced against the grain. We like a cut of beef with some
visible fat to add tenderness. Carrots
and zucchini are cut into thin rounds or matchsticks; celery into angled
slices. Peppers are cut in strips and
snow peas are cut on the diagonal. Checked
broccoli florets work well and canned vegetables add flavor but be sure to
drain them well. Whichever vegetables
you choose, cut them into similarly-sized pieces so they cook in the same
amount of time. In addition, if you are
using a homemade sauce, be sure it is also prepared before you begin
cooking.
with your knife skills since each ingredient will be bite sized. Chicken cutlets should be thinly sliced to
promote quick cooking. Likewise, meat
should be thinly sliced against the grain. We like a cut of beef with some
visible fat to add tenderness. Carrots
and zucchini are cut into thin rounds or matchsticks; celery into angled
slices. Peppers are cut in strips and
snow peas are cut on the diagonal. Checked
broccoli florets work well and canned vegetables add flavor but be sure to
drain them well. Whichever vegetables
you choose, cut them into similarly-sized pieces so they cook in the same
amount of time. In addition, if you are
using a homemade sauce, be sure it is also prepared before you begin
cooking.
Once prepped, put the ingredients in small bowls,
arranged by cooking times. Because the
technique is to quickly fry the ingredients in a large pan over high heat,
comparable cooking times are very important.
Constant stirring while cooking will preserve flavor, color and texture
of the food and keep the vegetables crisp.
Cooking small quantities of meat or chicken slices for 3-4 minutes will
give you tender pieces that are not dried out.
Remove the meat or chicken for your pan while still slightly pink—the
meat will continue to cook from the residual internal heat.
arranged by cooking times. Because the
technique is to quickly fry the ingredients in a large pan over high heat,
comparable cooking times are very important.
Constant stirring while cooking will preserve flavor, color and texture
of the food and keep the vegetables crisp.
Cooking small quantities of meat or chicken slices for 3-4 minutes will
give you tender pieces that are not dried out.
Remove the meat or chicken for your pan while still slightly pink—the
meat will continue to cook from the residual internal heat.
Many stir-fry recipes call for a wok. A wok is a large rounded pan that is flat
only at the bottom center. The rounded
shape allows the food to slide back down to the heat source as the pieces are
tossed and stirred and the open sides promote evaporation of the liquids,
keeping the vegetables crunchy. If your
family enjoys Chinese food it is a great investment. Stir-frying can also be done in a large,
low-sided skillet but a deep pan is not a good idea because the high sides trap
steam which will soften your vegetables.
only at the bottom center. The rounded
shape allows the food to slide back down to the heat source as the pieces are
tossed and stirred and the open sides promote evaporation of the liquids,
keeping the vegetables crunchy. If your
family enjoys Chinese food it is a great investment. Stir-frying can also be done in a large,
low-sided skillet but a deep pan is not a good idea because the high sides trap
steam which will soften your vegetables.
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 red bell pepper, julienned
1 carrot, julienned or sliced thin
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup thickly cut zucchini (half-moon slices)
2 cups broccoli florets
1/2 cup snow peas
1 clove garlic, minced
1 to 2 tablespoons peeled and minced ginger
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
1/3 cup sliced bamboo shoots or baby corn
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
Start by preparing and cutting all the vegetables and
measuring your ingredients so that they are ready to go. Once you begin
stir-frying, it goes very quickly.
measuring your ingredients so that they are ready to go. Once you begin
stir-frying, it goes very quickly.
In a wok or large frying pan, heat canola oil over high
heat to almost smoking. While stirring constantly, 1 at a time, add in the
peppers, carrots and onions, followed by the zucchini, broccoli, snow peas,
garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and teriyaki sauce. Cook for about 2 minutes and
then add in the remaining ingredients and seasonings. Cook about 2 minutes
more. Remove from heat. Serve
immediately.
heat to almost smoking. While stirring constantly, 1 at a time, add in the
peppers, carrots and onions, followed by the zucchini, broccoli, snow peas,
garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and teriyaki sauce. Cook for about 2 minutes and
then add in the remaining ingredients and seasonings. Cook about 2 minutes
more. Remove from heat. Serve
immediately.