When we were both working full-time, Adrien and I would plan a stir-fry meal which used one of those bottled Asian-style sauces as a starting point. Now that was certainly quick and tasty, but I’m not exactly sure how many ingredients in the bottled product would be considered “healthy”. So, when I spotted this recipe in the New York Times Food section, I was intrigued: could a stir-fry sauce be created to satisfy the need for a pick-up home-cooked meal and still be without some of those preservatives and flavor enhancers that end up in prepared foods. I think my answer is a resounding YES! But you don’t have to take my word for it. Try this one for yourself.
Mall-Style Vegetable Stir-Fry
Adapted from Jenne Claiborne By Kim Severson as found in the New York Times Cooking
Ingredients – For the Sauce
- 1 tsp neutral oil (suggestion was to use grapeseed; I used coconut oil)
- 1 1/2 TBSP minced ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 3 TBSP rice vinegar
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 6 Medjool or other dried dates, pitted and chopped
- 1 TBSP arrowroot powder or cornstarch
Ingredients – For the Stir Fry
- 1 TBSP grapeseed or coconut oil
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion (or 2 shallots, thinly sliced)
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped or julienned
- 1 head broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets and pieces
- 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas (a 15 oz. can drained and rinsed will do it)
- Freshly cooked rice
- 1 TBSP sesame seeds (I used toasted)
- 1-2 fresh limes quartered
- Garnish: chopped cilantro
Method
- Make the sauce: in a saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add ginger and garlic, and cook, stirring just until garlic starts to turn golden (about 1 minute). Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and dates. Let simmer 3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, whisk arrowroot or cornstarch with 1/3 cup water until smooth. Slowly stir the mixture into the simmering sauce. When the sauce begins to thicken (quick!), remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
- When the sauce is cool enough to handle, transfer sauce to a blender, and blend until smooth. Set aside.
- Make the stir fry: In a wok or skillet with a lid, heat oil over medium heat. When hot, add onions. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until softened. Add red pepper and carrots, cover and cook 5 minutes stirring occasionally. Stir in broccoli, chickpeas, and sauce, and cook, covered stirring occasionally, until vegetables are cooked to your liking (about 10 minutes).
- Serve over the cook rice, garnish with sesame seeds, fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
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