Stir fry is a Chinese cooking style that dates back over 1500 years and involves the quick, high-heat cooking of meat and/or vegetables in oil using a smooth metal pan or bowl.The popularity of stir fry has spread across the globe due to its quick and delicious results.This easy, fun technique can be added to your collection.
Step 1: Cut your meat into thin strips.
If you're a vegetarian, you can make a stir fry with tofu or vegetables.If you include meat or tofu.Cut it into small, thin pieces so that it cooks quickly.When it comes to stir fry cooking, you want your ingredients to cook as quickly as possible.
Step 2: As needed, prepare your vegetables.
Vegetables are included in most stir fry dishes.As with your meat, you want your vegetable pieces to be small and thin so that they cook quickly.This means that any peppers should be cut into thin slices.Feel free to add more vegetables as you please.There are bell peppers and red peppers.Water chestnuts, carrots, Broccoli, Garlic Pea Pods, and snow peas are sliced or cut thin.
Step 3: Put your pan or wok in the microwave.
A cooking pan called a wok is used to cook stir fry dishes.Western style pans can be used as well.The most important thing is that the pan is made from sturdy metal and has room for all of your ingredients.Set your pan over the burner on the stove for about 1 to 2 minutes.When a wok starts smoking, it's usually at the right temperature.If your pan is hot enough, you can test it by tossing a drop of water in.
Step 4: You can put a small amount of oil in your wok.
You don't usually need much oil when you're stir frying.You'll want to add any seasoning and/or spices you're using in your dish at this point.There are many options here.It is possible to add a dash of soy sauce or red pepper to the oil for a classic flavor.Below are a few more suggestions.If using ginger, take care not to burn.
Step 5: Stirring frequently is how to add your meat.
If you're including meat, add it first.The pan will sear very quickly if it is hot.Once an initial sear is obtained, keep the meat in motion, stirring frequently until it's cooked through.This takes about 5 minutes.The temperature of your pan will be lowered temporarily by the addition of meat.To counteract this, you may want to turn the burner up a bit.
Step 6: Next, cook vegetables slow.
You'll want to add vegetables when your meat is done.You'll want to start with thick, firm vegetables that take a long time to cook and then add the other veggies.Some vegetables may take more time to cook than others.
Step 7: Vegetables should be added last.
The rest of your vegetables should be added next.The veggies should be soft in a few minutes.You can add any vegetables from a pre-cooked or ready-made package.
Step 8: You should add any stir fry sauce at the end.
Add any sauce you want for your stir fry.You'll want to add the main portion now that you've added a dash of liquid flavor.It is a good idea to be conservative with your sauces.Don't add too much sauce at once, as this will make the vegetables soggy in addition to lowering the heat of the wok.At this point, you may want to add a few more sauces.The peanut sauce has Oyster sauce in it.
Step 9: Cook for a while.
Give your stir fry a chance to cook.If you're confident, you can even "flip" your ingredients with a quick wrist motion every once in a while.The vegetables and sauce should be done after a few minutes.
Step 10: It's time to serve.
You just made your first stir fry dish.Use one of the ideas provided below to round out your meal, or enjoy your stir fry on its own.
Step 11: Try to serve with rice.
What use would this article have without mentioning Asian food?Rice is a filling base for your stir fry.Stir fry and rice can be used as the main course of a larger meal.There are many different ways to prepare rice, and you can choose from brown, red, jasmine, basmati and so on.For a treat, try fried rice or plain brown rice.
Step 12: Try serving over noodles.
Along with stir fry is noodles.There's no rule prohibiting you from using other types of noodles if you pair stir fries with Asian noodles.If you're adventurous, you can even apply stir fry techniques to Italian pasta dishes.
Step 13: For a healthy alternative, try stir-frying bok choy.
There are countless dishes prepared in this style, each with their own unique flavor.Boc choy is a dish made from Chinese cabbage.This dish is packed with delicious flavor and is low in calories.Put your knowledge of stir fry to the test by cooking it up as a side or snack.