Delicious Vietnamese Stir-Fried Veggies Recipe
My dear food aficionados, allow me to lure you into the tantalizing world of Vietnamese cuisine, where every dish is a burst of exquisite flavors that will leave you craving for more. As a chef specializing in Vietnamese and Asian cuisine, I am pleased to share with you my recipe for Vietnamese Stir-Fry Vegetables – a dish that is as healthy as it is delectable.
As Southeast Asians, we take our vegetables seriously. And with this dish, we embrace all the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs in one delicious meal. It’s no secret that vegetables provide us with a myriad of health benefits – from boosting our immune system to reducing the risk of chronic diseases. However, many people often shun vegetables because they don’t know how to make them taste good. Well, with my Vietnamese Stir-Fry Vegetables recipe, that changes today!
With this recipe, we use a combination of fresh ingredients such as napa cabbage, bok choy, broccoli florets, red bell pepper, and shallots. We then add the protein-rich firm tofu to make the meal more filling and satisfying. This dish is not only vegetarian-friendly but also gluten-free!
But perhaps what sets this recipe apart is how flexible and easy it is to customize. Once you’ve mastered the art of stir-frying vegetables, you can swap out or add any other veggies you’d like – whether it’s chayote squash for a milder taste or water spinach for an extra crunch.
So let’s get ready to chop, stir fry and savor! Be prepared for an explosion of flavors in every bite that transcends cultures and palates alike!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Fellow foodies, listen up! I’m about to share with you the ultimate recipe for Vietnamese Stir-Fried Vegetables that will blow your taste buds away. Here are just a few reasons why you’ll love this dish.
Firstly, it’s packed full of nutrient-rich vegetables. We’re talking bok choy, napa cabbage, broccoli florets, red bell pepper and shallots, all stir-fried to perfection in a delicious Vietnamese-style sauce. This dish is great for vegetarians looking for a hearty meal, or for anyone wanting to add more veggies into their diet.
Secondly, it’s super versatile. You can easily modify the recipe by swapping out some of the vegetables for your favourites. Love green beans? Throw them in! Want to add some protein? Try adding some firm tofu or chicken breasts. The possibilities are endless with this recipe.
But perhaps the best thing about this dish is how quick and easy it is to make. With just 20 minutes at most and a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a delicious meal ready in no time. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have much time or energy to cook.
So there you have it – a nutrient-packed, versatile and easy-to-make Vietnamese Stir-Fried Vegetables that is sure to become a staple in your household. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s so easy to love!
Ingredient List
- 1 cup Bok choy, chopped into 2-inch pieces.
- 1 cup Napa cabbage, chopped into similar size as bok choy.
- 1 cup Broccoli florets (1/2 inch), stems removed.
- 1/2 Red bell pepper, thinly sliced.
- 1/2 cup Green beans, stemmed and cut into 2-inch pieces.
- 1/2 Cup cauliflower florets, cut into small pieces.
- 4-5 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3-4 shallots, finely sliced.
- 1 block of firm tofu, sliced in small cubes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sauce:
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- juice of half a lemon.
[Make sure to have fresh produce on hand for the best results]
The Recipe How-To
Now that you have your ingredient list ready to go, it’s time to start cooking. This Vietnamese Stir-Fried Vegetables recipe is a quick and easy way to get in a healthy and flavorful meal on a busy weeknight.
Step 1: Prep Your Vegetables
- Thinly slice 2 shallots.
- Cut 1 red bell pepper into thin strips.
- Chop 2 cups of bok choy.
- Chop 2 cups of Napa cabbage.
- Cut 1 cup of broccoli florets into small pieces.
- Slice 1/2 cup of firm tofu into thin pieces.
Step 2: The Stir-Fry
- Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Once hot, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan.
Tip: Don’t have a wok? A cast iron skillet will suffice.
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Add the sliced shallots and cook until fragrant, which should take about 30 seconds.
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Add the sliced red bell pepper and cook for another minute.
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Next, add in the chopped bok choy, Napa cabbage, and broccoli florets. Cook for about two minutes, or until the vegetables start to soften.
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Add in the sliced tofu and cook for an additional minute.
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Pour in 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and stir to coat all the vegetables evenly.
Tip: To ensure that your vegetables stay crisp-tender, be mindful not to overcook them!
Step 3: Serving Your Vietnamese Stir-Fried Vegetables
Once your stir-fry is done cooking, remove it from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Optional Step: Protein Additions
If you’re looking to add some protein to this dish, grilled chicken breasts or shrimp would be a great addition.
Variation: Swap out chicken and shrimp for squid for a taste of Southeast Asian cuisine.
Now that you have completed the steps, relax and enjoy your homemade, healthy & flavorful Vietnamese Stir-Fried Vegetables dish.
Substitutions and Variations
As with any recipe, there are always opportunities to experiment and customize it to your liking. Here are some substitutions and variations that you can try out for this Vietnamese stir-fried vegetables recipe.
Firstly, you can mix up the vegetables used in this dish. Instead of Napa cabbage, bok choy, broccoli florets and red bell pepper, you can opt for other Southeast Asian produce such as chayote squash, water spinach and bitter melon. You can also incorporate sliced Vietnamese-style chicken breasts or squid to add some protein to the dish.
For those who prefer a spicy kick, you can add some chili paste during the stir-fry process. Alternatively, add some finely chopped lemongrass for a refreshing zing, or sliced shallots for extra flavors and texture.
If you’re looking for a gluten-free variation, swap the soy sauce for gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. For vegetarians or vegans, replace the firm tofu with sliced mushrooms or even tempeh to your liking.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to use this recipe as a base for other dishes. Mix with noodles or rice noodles to create a noodle dish like pho or chow mein. Alternatively, pair with pasta to create an Italian-Asian fusion dish that is uniquely yours.
The options are endless – so go ahead and experiment with different combinations until you find the perfect variation that suits your taste buds!
Serving and Pairing
When it comes to serving and pairing the Vietnamese Stir-Fried Vegetables recipe, there are several options to choose from. These delectable stir-fry vegetables can be served as a main course or as a side dish alongside some rice, noodles, or even pho soup. Their versatility is astounding!
If you want to keep it light, you can serve the stir-fry over some rice noodles, vermicelli rice noodles, or even alongside some chow mein. This option is great when you are wanting something that is filling and nutritious but still light on your stomach.
However, if you’re feeling extra hungry, I would recommend pairing the stir-fry with some jasmine rice! Not only does the fluffy texture of jasmine rice balance out the crunchiness of the veggies and tofu, but the mild flavor of the rice allows the flavors in this dish to shine.
Not a fan of rice? No problem! Serve your stir-fry alongside some protein for a well-rounded meal. Vietnamese-style grilled chicken breasts or squid would pair excellently with these veggies.
If you want to keep it vegetarian or vegan, you can use soy sauce instead of fish sauce and swap out the fish for other meaty substitutes like tempeh or seitan.
In case you’re looking forward to having some more vegetables on your plate, steamed water spinach or chayote squash are great additions to balance out your meal without overpowering the flavor profile of the dish.
Whatever your preferences are, this stir-fry recipe is bound to be an amazing addition to your Southeast Asian themed dinner repertoire!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Once you’ve mastered the art of preparing these Vietnamese stir-fried vegetables, you’ll want to have them on hand as often as possible. Luckily, this recipe can be easily made ahead and stored for later consumption.
If you’d like to make the preparation process more convenient, simply chop your vegetables ahead of time and store them in separate containers until ready to use. This tactic is especially useful if you’re planning on making this dish for a weeknight dinner or for meal prep.
While the texture may slightly change once cooked, these vegetables can still be easily reheated. To reheat, simply place the stir-fry into a microwave-safe dish and heat, stirring occasionally, until hot throughout. Alternatively, you can reheat on the stovetop over medium heat with a little bit of oil to prevent sticking.
For longer storage, you can also freeze the stir-fry for up to three months. Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers or freezer bags. When ready to consume again, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat using one of the methods mentioned above.
With these helpful tips, you can have delicious Vietnamese stir-fried vegetables at your fingertips whenever you desire!
Tips for Perfect Results
Preparing Vietnamese Stir-Fried Vegetables is not as simple as it sounds. While it’s easy to toss everything together in a wok or skillet, the real challenge is achieving the perfect texture and flavor of each vegetable. Here, I’ve gathered some useful tips to help you get the most out of your Vietnamese stir-fry experience.
First, make sure that all the vegetables are cut into uniform sizes for even cooking. This will also create an aesthetically pleasing dish. The broccoli and cauliflower florets should be sliced thinly, while the green beans should be cut into two-inch pieces. Similarly, you can slice bok choy and napa cabbage into smaller pieces so they cook quickly.
Secondly, it’s essential to use high heat to cook your stir-fry to ensure that the vegetables retain their crispness and natural flavor.
Thirdly, using oil with a high smoke point such as vegetable oil or canola oil will help prevent burning and impart a lightly fried taste to your vegetables. Peanut oil or sesame oil could also give extra richness if preferred.
Another helpful tip includes preheating your wok or skillet before adding ingredients. Heating it up before cooking ensures that there’s no chance for sticking, allowing you to add vegetables easily as well as cooked chicken, tofu or seafood after that.
Furthermore, don’t overcrowd your pan for better results; it leads to steaming rather than frying the veggies.
Lastly, seasoning with soy sauce or fish sauce to taste should be done in moderation since both have salty properties but different flavor profiles. You can add chili or garlic for additional depth, but make sure they are finely chopped before adding them.
Following these tips will enable you to achieve sizzling stir-fried vegetable perfection every time, keeping you coming back for more!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this Vietnamese Stir-Fried Vegetables recipe is a must-have in your culinary playbook. It has a delectable blend of flavors and healthy ingredients that will leave you fully satisfied. By following the above guide on how to prepare and serve this dish, you’ll be able to enjoy a sumptuous Southeast Asian cuisine in the comfort of your home.
So the next time you’re looking to impress your friends with your chef skills or have a craving for some authentic Vietnamese food, give this recipe a try! Trust me; it’s worth it! Remember that you can always experiment with different variations and substitutions to make it perfect for your taste.
And if you want to take things a step further, why not pair it with some Pho or rice noodles or even chow mein? You can never go wrong with some delicious and authentic Chinese food! With stir-fry recipes like these, you’ll be mastering new cooking techniques in no time at all.
In conclusion, I hope this recipe article has been helpful in your culinary journey. As I always say, cooking with passion and creativity always leads to scrumptious meals. So go ahead and try this Vietnamese Stir-Fried Vegetables recipe today and let us know how it turns out!
Vietnamese Stir-Fried Vegetables Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 8 ounces firm tofu, drained cut into rectangular strips about 1-inch wide
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced
- 6 dried black mushrooms, soaked in hot water for 30 min drained stemmed thinly sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets, blanched in boiling water and drained (cut through their stems into thin slices)
- 1 1/2 cups napa cabbage, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups bok choy, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce, to taste
- 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a nonstick pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the tofu pieces and stir-fry until nicely browned. Remove and drain on paper towels. When cool, cut them into bite-size strips. Set aside.
- Heat the remaining oil in a large skillet or saute pan over high heat. If the pan is smaller than 12 inches, cook the vegetables in two batches. Wait until the oil gets very hot, almost smoking (the vegetables should sizzle during the entire cooking time), and add the shallots, constantly stirring until they become fragrant, about 20 seconds.
- Add the mushrooms and stir-fry for another 20 seconds. Add the broccoli, cabbage, and bok choy, stir for 30 seconds, and add the red bell pepper. (If the pan gets too dry, sprinkle in 1 to 2 tbsp water).
- Working quickly, create an open space in the middle of the pan by pushing the vegetables against the edges. Add the soy sauce to the open area. It should sizzle and caramelize slightly, creating a distinctive aroma. Stir the vegetables with the soy sauce a few times and remove from the heat. Toss the vegetables with the tofu.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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