Quick and Easy Stir Fry: The Components
A quick and easy stir fry is the perfect way to make a fast healthy meal, use up some leftovers or be creative when all cooking creativity seems to have gone astray. There are three main components to creating this delicious dish and you may even have some of the staples on your pantry shelves already.
Components
- Unless you’re a strict vegetarian or vegan, your meal will include some meat, poultry, or fish. But don’t be mistaken into thinking this should be the main part of your meal. Meat can be the condiment, so to speak, with the other–less expensive and healthier–ingredients making up the main part of the meal.
- Your stir fry needs vegetables. It’s always best to use vegetables that withstand the cooking process without becoming mushy. That said, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, peppers, brussels sprouts, and onions are all excellent options. Of course, there are dozens more as well that work perfectly. You have to choose what works for your family.
- A starch always works well. If you are adamantly opposed to eating carbs, try a lighter starch like rice noodles. They are much lighter than pasta or regular rice, which are typically used more than any other starch in stir-fries.
Now that you’re familiar with the main components, it’s important to know the simple skills used in creating your dish. High heat is used at first to cook the meat, fish, or poultry. The oil is an important part of preparing this meal as it can add some flavor to the ingredients. Sticking to plain olive or canola oil is fine, but experiment with different flavors like sesame oil for a change, too.
Add the vegetables next, being careful not to overcook them. Cook your starch separately and throw it into the stir fry just a couple of minutes before everything else is done cooking. Toss in a bit of extra flavoring when you add the starch, as it can soak up what is already leftover in the pan.
All you need now to prepare a quick and easy meal is a list and a quick trip to the grocery store.