Tuesday 17 February 2009

Going Stir Crazy

IT'S official. I'm addicted. Addicted to stir fries.
After years of trying to perfect, what is seemingly, the most simple of dishes I think I've finally nailed it.
And now I can't get enough of the stuff.
Of course there are a lot worse things a girl can be addicted to(like Manolo Bhanhiks or dangerous men), although like any good obsession thoughts of this one are starting to take over my life.
I am already counting down the hours 'til I can fire up my wok (or heavy-bottom based pan) and start tossing around a rainbow of vegetables, noodles and sauce - whatever takes my fancy.
For anyone still struggling to master the stir fry here is my favourite recipe

Serves One

INGREDIENTS

1tbsp of heavy oyster sauce
2tbsp dark soy sauce
1 inch piece of ginger (peeled and sliced into matchstick thick strips)
2 cloves of garlic (minced)
1tsp of stir-fry oil, or groundnut oil
200g of medium egg noodles (cooked to packet instructions and tossed with a drizzle of sesame oil)
Handful of toasted black and white sesame seeds
Handful of toasted cashew nuts
Half of each red and green pepper (sliced into strips)
1 red onion (sliced thinly)
2 carrots (peeled and cut into ribbons using a vegetable peeler)
Half a bag of beansprouts
Any other vegetables you like.
2 spring onions (sliced thinly)

METHOD
  1. Heat a wok or heavy-bottom pan over a high heat
  2. Add the stir fry oil and wait for it to start steaming (very important)
  3. Add the garlic and ginger and stir fry for a few minutes
  4. Add all the veg except the beansprouts and allow to cook for a minute
  5. Add a splash of water to create steam
  6. Toss in the noodles and stir thoroughly to heat
  7. Mix together the oyster sauce and soy sauce and pour over
  8. Add the beansprouts, then the nuts and seeds, stirring to combine, making sure everything is coated and hot
  9. Serve onto warmed plates, with or without your favourite protein (tuna steak, chicken breast)
  10. Enjoy, maybe with a few coriander leaves and a bit of extra soy.
What are your top tips for a sizzling stir fry... let me know...

6 comments:

Kiezie said...

I love stir fry and, yes, it is VERY addicting. I wanted a (flat bottom) wok for the longest time and found one at Ikea for $8 so thought it was worth a try. I love it, it's not the highest quality, but I made stir fry for dinner 4 nights in a row the first week!! LOL!! I look forward to trying the oyster sauce...we haven't tried that yet!! Thanks!

Emily said...

Thanks for commenting. Good tip about the wok from Ikea. I bought one from a UK store called Habitat and it was about £30, or $60, and it really was no good so I use a heavy bottom pan instead. I might have to visit ikea to pick up a wok at that price!
Thanks you for reading
Emily

Thinspired said...

I'm addicted to stir-fries, too! :)
Larabars are fantastic! The only downside is that they are a little pricey. You can find the most flavors at Whole Foods, but they are sold in the health section of regular grocery stores too. They have the simplist ingredients, just made with different fruit and nuts. They're raw, vegan, all that good stuff. But mostly they just taste delicious and they are very nutritious :)
Oyster sauce on the kale WOULD have been a great idea! Darnit. It's all gone now ;)

Emily said...

I am going to get myself one of those Larabars. They sound heavenly. I like the idea of the peanut butter one. I think the nearest stockist to where I live is Selfridges in Birmingham city centre. If they are stocked there, I know they are going to be pricey? You should write to Larabar and ask for a load of free samples, as you are doing a great job of advertising them!

Claire said...

I love stir fry too. Speaking on behalf of bad cooks everywhere, they are quick and easy to do -stick it all in a pan and hope for the best. That's my kind of cooking!

Emily said...

Absolutely Claire. Why face the hassle of preparing another more difficult after a long day at work! I love to serve mine with Quorn fillets or seared tuna steaks with a drizzle of sweet chilli dip and a squeeze of lime!