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Stir-fried Water Spinach with Garlic: A Simple, Rustic, and Irresistible Dish

Water spinach stir-fried with garlic is a simple, rustic dish that is not only familiar to rural areas but also a favorite dish of many people in the city. Water spinach is picked from the youngest vines of sweet potatoes and combined with garlic to create a fragrant stir-fried water spinach dish.

Administrator

24 April, 2024

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Stir-fried water spinach with garlic is a simple and easy-to-prepare dish that is not only delicious but also rich in fiber. The combination of water spinach and garlic is very appealing to the taste buds. Although it’s a simple and easy dish to make, many people do not know how to stir-fry it so that it is both flavorful and keeps the spinach green. In this article, FPT Shop will guide you on how to make a super delicious and eye-catching stir-fried water spinach with garlic dish.

1. Ingredients

The ingredients for stir-fried water spinach with garlic are easy to buy and very inexpensive. In rural areas, families can grow their own water spinach, making it a daily dish for them. In urban areas, water spinach is also easy to find in markets at a cost of 5,000 to 10,000 VND per bunch. To make delicious stir-fried water spinach with garlic, you will need to prepare all of the following ingredients:

1 bunch of water spinach (If you have a large family, you can prepare an additional ½ or 1 bunch)
1-2 cloves of garlic
Seasonings: cooking oil, fish sauce, MSG, salt, and chicken bouillon.

The ingredients for stir-fried water spinach with garlic are very simple and few, so you don’t have to be too meticulous and spend a lot of time preparing them.

2. How to make stir-fried water spinach with garlic

Once you have prepared all the ingredients, you will proceed to prepare and stir-fry the vegetables according to the following steps:

Step 1: Prepare and process the ingredients

Remove the old stems and damaged leaves, and keep only the young stems and leaves. Then wash them thoroughly and drain them in a basket. Peel the garlic, wash it, and then divide it into two parts: mince one part and crush or thinly slice the other part.

Step 2: Blanch the vegetables

Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the vegetables and blanch them for about 1-2 minutes. Remove them from the pot and place them on a plate or in a basket to drain. A tip for keeping the vegetables green is to squeeze a little lemon into the boiling water, or after blanching, remove the vegetables and soak them in a bowl of ice water to help them stay crisp and green.

Step 3: Stir-fry the vegetables

Heat a wok or large skillet over medium heat and add a little oil. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced or crushed garlic first, then add the minced garlic. When the garlic becomes fragrant, add the water spinach and stir-fry it. Season to taste with 1 teaspoon of fish sauce, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of chicken bouillon or MSG.

Stir the vegetables, seasonings, and garlic evenly, then gradually reduce the heat and cook for about 2-3 minutes until the flavors have been absorbed. Then turn off the heat.

Step 4: Arrange on a plate

Transfer the vegetables to a plate and arrange the garlic on top. If you are making stir-fried water spinach with garlic to serve guests, you can garnish it with a few carrot flowers.

3. Finished product

Once completed, you will have a plate of stir-fried water spinach with garlic that is green, crispy, and has a fragrant garlic aroma. The flavor is savory, with the richness of the cooking oil, the deliciousness of the vegetables, and the seasonings combined with the aroma of garlic to create a simple but hearty dish. Serve with a bowl of pickled eggplant for a truly authentic and healthy vegetarian meal.

Frequently asked questions

Stir-fried water spinach with garlic is a simple, rustic, and irresistible Vietnamese dish. It’s a quick and easy dish to prepare, featuring water spinach (morning glory) stir-fried with garlic, fish sauce, and a touch of sugar. The result is a flavorful, slightly sweet, and savory side dish that pairs well with rice or other main courses.

To prepare water spinach for stir-frying, start by cutting the roots and any tough stems. Then, rinse the leaves and stems thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Finally, cut the water spinach into sections about 3-4 inches long, and it’s ready to be stir-fried.

The key ingredients for stir-fried water spinach with garlic are water spinach (morning glory), garlic, fish sauce (nước mắm), and sugar. A typical proportion for this dish would be 1 bunch of water spinach, 2-3 cloves of garlic, 1-2 tablespoons of fish sauce, and a pinch of sugar to taste.

Here are some tips to ensure your stir-fried water spinach turns out perfectly: Use a wok or a large pan for stir-frying to ensure even cooking. Have all your ingredients prepared and within reach before you start cooking. Add a small amount of oil to the pan, and when it’s hot, add the garlic. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter. Quickly add the water spinach and stir-fry until it wilts and turns a vibrant green. Add the fish sauce and sugar, and continue to stir-fry for another minute or so. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Stir-fried water spinach with garlic is a versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses. It’s commonly served alongside grilled meats, such as barbecue pork (thịt heo nướng) or grilled chicken (gà nướng). It also goes well with rice dishes, noodle dishes, and other Vietnamese favorites like caramelized clay pot fish (cá kho tộ) or braised pork belly and eggs (thịt kho trứng).