Basic Stir-Fry Recipe

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Looking for an easy meal? Put homegrown, preserved produce together with a basic stir-fry sauce and some protein for a quick, nutritionally balanced option. Photo Courtesy Fotolia/Joshua Resnick

Preserving Summer’s Bounty (Rodale Books, 1995) is an extensive resource on how to preserve all kinds of food — from the traditional tried-and-true preserving methods to quick-and-easy ways to get the most out of your garden produce. This book, from the Rodale Food Center and edited by Susan McClure, includes instructions on how to harvest, freeze, can and preserve what you grow, plus recipes for how to use the results. The following is a guide to a simple approach to a healthy meal — the stir-fry. 

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Of all the dishes we associate with oriental cuisine, stir-fry dishes seem most typical. They permit versatility in the diet and combine a generous amount of vegetables with just a small portion of meat. That gives you a very healthy balance of nutrients. You can take advantage of the speed, nutritiousness and versatility of stir-fry cooking without having to rely on complicated recipes. Make a delicious stir-fry with the ingredients you have from your harvest by preparing a simple sauce, then choosing one ingredient from each section of the list below.

Basic Stir–Fry Sauce Recipe

This flavorful sauce will turn any combination of ingredients into a delicious stir–fry. Just make the sauce and toss in a selection of ingredients.

1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons oil

Yield: 4 servings   

In a 1-quart saucepan, combine water, low-sodium soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, honey, minced garlic, sesame oil and minced fresh ginger. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Stir in the cornstarch that has been dissolved in the water. Cook, stirring, until the sauce is shiny and thick. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Cut all ingredients into uniform, bite-size pieces. Arrange each category on a separate plate near the stove.

Heat a wok or large frying pan on medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add 1 teaspoon of oil, swirl to distribute, and let heat for 1 minute. Add a basic ingredient and stir-fry for 1 to 5 minutes, or until the food is lightly browned on the outside. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add 1 teaspoon oil to the pan and your choice of hearty vegetables. Stir-fry for 3 minutes, or until slightly tender. Immediately return the first ingredient to the pan along with your tender vegetables. Stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the reserved sauce and toppings. Toss all ingredients quickly to coat them with the sauce. Serve immediately.