Master Chef’s Secret: The Key to Perfectly Stir-fried Vegetables with an Irresistible Crunch

Although it may seem like a simple dish to make, achieving a plate of perfectly cooked stir-fried vegetables that is vibrant, glossy, crispy, and not overly dark or mushy like those in restaurants requires some handy tips. Make sure to take note of these little tricks below to elevate your stir-frying game.

0
141

Select fresh and young vegetables

First of all, to have a delicious stir-fry dish, you need to have quality ingredients. The vegetables for stir-frying should be fresh and young. It is recommended to choose freshly harvested vegetables as they will be more crispy and tasty when stir-fried. If the vegetables are wilted or dried out, they will become mushy and lose their appealing color.

Empty

Blanch the vegetables before stir-frying

Blanching the vegetables helps them cook evenly and retain their vibrant green color. Here are some tips for blanching vegetables:

– First, bring a pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt or a few drops of cooking oil to make the vegetables cook faster and stay green.

– When blanching vegetables, use high heat and let the water boil completely before adding the vegetables. Insufficient heat during blanching can cause the vegetables to lose their bright green color and become dull and unappetizing.

– When blanching, add the vegetable stems first and then add the leaves, as the leaves will cook faster.

– Do not cover the pot and do not press the vegetables down with a utensil while blanching.

– Once the vegetables are cooked, remove them from the pot immediately and rinse them briefly with cold water to cool them down and preserve their crispness.

Empty

Quick stir-frying

Since the vegetables have been blanched, you should stir-fry them quickly to ensure they absorb the flavors well.

– Note that you should use a moderate amount of oil to create a visually appealing and tasty dish without compromising health. Many people tend to use less oil when stir-frying, but this can result in dry and unappetizing vegetables.

– When stir-frying, use high heat to evenly heat the pan before adding the vegetables and stir-fry quickly. Remember to add the vegetable stems first and then the leaves to ensure even cooking.

– It is advisable to stir-fry a moderate amount of vegetables that fit the size of the pan to avoid overcrowding, which can make it difficult to stir-fry the vegetables properly and result in uneven cooking or breakage.

– If you are stir-frying vegetables with meat or shrimp, it is recommended to stir-fry the meat separately and then add it to the vegetables afterward. Season to taste, and once the vegetables are cooked, turn off the heat.

– Before transferring the vegetables from the pan, if you want to maintain their vibrant green color, you can add a spoonful of vinegar around the edge of the pan and quickly stir to allow the vinegar to interact with the outer layer of the vegetables, preserving their fresh green color. Do not worry about the vinegar making the dish sour, as the vinegar will quickly evaporate at high temperatures without deeply penetrating the vegetables.

– It is best not to leave the vegetables in the pan for more than 3 minutes after stir-frying. If left too long, the vegetables will become overcooked, lose their color, and become mushy.

With the above tips, this dish will no longer be challenging for you to prepare.

You may also like

Preserving Cilantro and Coriander for One Month

Have you ever wanted to know how to keep cilantro and coriander fresh for an entire month? Check out these tips to find out how to best preserve these ubiquitous vegetables used in many dishes.

What Side of the Chả Lá Lốt Leaf Should We Roll?

Are you curious what the right side of a betel leaf is for rolling? Read our article to find the answer!

7 Fantastic Strategies to Enhance Your Culinary Skills

Do you want to take your cooking to the next level? Then you must try out these 7 small tips that even 5-star restaurant chefs swear by!

The Stir-Fried Water Spinach at the restaurant is always crisp, fresh, and delicious, while the one cooked at home turns out wilted and dull. Here’s why.

Stir frying vegetables is easy to eat, but how do you make a plate of beautiful, crispy, and delicious green water spinach? Well, there is a secret to that.

Simple Ways to Eliminate Pesticides from Fruits and Vegetables

Vegetables and fruits are valuable food items, but they can become poisonous if they are contaminated with pesticides. Therefore, it is important to know how to eliminate these harmful substances.