We all know that stir-fry is a healthy way to eat, right? Plus it just tastes so good. To go along with my blog on stir-fry tips, here is a step-by-step of how to stir-fry.
1. Start with a wok or an electric skillet. I prefer the wok, but I haven’t been able to find an electric one since mine broke and so I’m making due with a skillet for the time being.
2. Select your meats and your vegetables. Slice, dice, and chop them all as finely as you can, putting them in separate piles or bowls before moving on to the next variety.
3. Start with your garlic or ginger root, if you’re using them. Saute them in a little bit of vegetable oil until golden. If you’re using onion, put it in now, cooking just until clear. You can also use olive oil or peanut oil instead of the regular vegetable oil.
4. Get your temperature good and high, and then throw in the meat. Cook it for one minute on each side.
5. Now it’s time for your vegetables. Start with the ones that will take longest to cook. For instance, carrots will take longer than mushrooms, so put in your carrots first.
6. Sometimes it’s best to steam-fry as well as stir-fry. Put a half-cup of water in your wok, throw the vegetable in, and cover with the lid. As the steam builds up, you’ll be steaming while you fry, and this is healthier than counting on the oil to do all the cooking for you. Just be careful not to add the water directly on top of the oil, or it will splatter and you could get burned.
7. Add the next vegetable, then the next, until they are all in the wok. Then toss with soy sauce, oyster sauce, or another sauce you have chosen, and serve.
Note: Bean sprouts, cabbage, bok choy, pea pods and mushrooms should all go in very close to the end. They only need about three minutes with the lid on to completely cook. If you leave them in longer, they’ll turn soggy.
When I first began to stir-fry, I put the meat and all the vegetables in at the same time and did the whole thing with oil. Let’s just say, my husband was a very patient man while I learned how!
(Tristi Pinkston is a full-time blogger in Movie and Media Reviews. Click here to read more by this blogger.)
Related Blogs: