Description
Delightful spring vegetable stir-fry dances with crisp seasonal produce, blending garden-fresh flavors into a quick and nutritious meal. Colorful ingredients swirl together effortlessly, inviting you to savor each vibrant bite of this simple yet elegant dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 1 cup asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 cup sugar snap peas or snow peas
- 1 cup baby spinach or arugula
- ½ red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
Secondary Ingredients:
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (optional)
Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium if preferred)
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for thickening, optional)
Optional Toppings:
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Crushed peanuts or cashews
- Chili flakes or a drizzle of chili oil
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant, zesty sauce by whisking soy sauce, tangy vinegar or lemon juice, aromatic sesame oil, and a touch of sweetener in a small bowl. If desired, incorporate a cornstarch slurry for added thickness. Set the sauce aside to meld flavors.
- Ignite a large pan or wok over medium-high heat, drizzling in oil. Introduce minced garlic and grated ginger, sizzling them briefly until their fragrant essence permeates the kitchen.
- Tumble crisp bell peppers, julienned carrots, and tender asparagus spears into the simmering pan. Toss and dance the vegetables for 3-4 minutes, allowing them to caramelize and retain their vibrant crunch.
- Introduce snap peas to the vegetable medley, continuing to stir-fry for an additional 2 minutes, ensuring each piece maintains its spirited texture and brilliant color.
- Gently cascade fresh spinach leaves and delicate green onions into the pan. Swirl and fold until the greens gracefully wilt, releasing their verdant essence, which should take approximately 1 minute.
- Cascade the prepared sauce over the vegetable symphony, thoroughly coating each morsel. Allow the mixture to simmer for another minute, permitting the sauce to embrace and slightly thicken.
- Extinguish the heat and crown the stir-fry with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or crunchy chopped nuts. Present the colorful dish steaming atop a bed of fluffy rice or tender noodles.
Notes
- Customize the sauce by adjusting sweetness with honey, maple syrup, or agave to suit different taste preferences.
- Swap vegetables based on seasonal availability or personal preference, maintaining similar cooking times for consistent texture.
- Choose gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce for a celiac-friendly version of the stir-fry.
- Boost protein content by adding tofu, tempeh, or lean chicken during the vegetable cooking stage for a more substantial meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg