Stir fry

[Rasman]

I've got a bag of stir fry veg (bean sprouts, carrot, cabbage) and I was thinking of adding some chicken and mushrooms to make a quick meal later.
I'm not a good cook, so I was wondering what I could add to make it less bland - soy sauce, spices?
I've got some onions, garlic, ginger, a few bits and pieces...nothing particularly exotic.
Apart from cooking something else entirely, what would you do?


Ray

[mccfluff]

i make a basic marinade for stir frys, garlic, ginger soy sauce and a bit of oyster sauce, mix up and add the sliced chicken leave for a long as you can - add a bit of chilli if you want some heat

[jd_1984]

Uncle Ben's!

[gingejbee]

Agree with mccf - you've got the basics for a stir-fry. I always have a large bottle of oyster sauce ( from Chinese supermarket - much cheaper) in the 'fridge - it's very useful.

[Rasman]

I've never had oyster sauce before but if it makes a difference then I'll pop out and get some.

Cheers!

[mccfluff]

def get some - bottle of hoi sin as well

[Rasman]

OK, I'll get a bottle of both and see if I like them.

Thanks mccfluff and gingejbee.

[Beswad]

Just a tip, make sure the pan is smoking hot before you put the vegs in. With stir fry veg, especially beansprouts, try not cook them for too long otherwise they become soggy then loses its crunch. Add a few 1 inch cuts of spring onions at the last minute.

I would also add a dash of oyster and fish sauces and a dash of seasame oil too during the cooking process.

[Rasman]

Just got back with the oyster sauce - they didn't have any hoi sin but I'll look out for it.
The chicken is marinating.
Thanks for the tip Beswad, the batteries on my mobility scoo.... err I mean electric bike, are flat so I cant go back out for fish sauce or seasame oil but noted for future.

Thanks

[mccfluff]

pork in hoi-sin is lovely and the longer you can marinate it for the better, i try to leave it all day if i can.

mix hoi-sin with a dash of soy adn minced garlic/ginger and finely slice pork chop and add to the marinade

cook on a high heat for a few mis then reduce heat and add a little water, just enough to make a thick sauce and let it bubble away. i usually add pak choi at this stage and mange tout a min before serving. - i have it with rice or a baked potato (weird but works)

[ummmm]

Sounds nice Fluff...

[4getmenot]

blue dragon chowmein stir fry sauce. mmmm

[pastafreak]

For future reference-when you marinate your raw meat,add about a teaspoon of cornflour to the mix. It helps the marinade to cling,and also results in a more tender and juicy result when the meat is cooked.

[tiggerblue10]

I love oyster sauce but I also love black bean sauce. Very good for when you've got the odd sweet pepper lurking around the fridge before it starts to turn!

[askyourgran]

Pasta that is a great tip, for ages I wondered how my take away beef and water chestnuts tasted so nice, better than I can do it. Now I know. :-)

[Rasman]

I'm pleased with the way it turned out mccfluff, the oyster sauce was a revelation.
And next time I'll try it with the cornflour pasta.
I'm quite partial to pork chops so I'll definitely keep an eye open for the Hoi sin.

Thanks all.

[hammerman]

If you want nice pork chops, just sprinkle both sides with Chinese 5 spice....available from any supermarket in the herbs and spices section, and grill. Tastes devine.

[Jemisa]

Mmmm! you've got me thinking now, I fancy pork chops & I've got some 5-spice, thats me sorted for tonight then,

Thanks hammerman. -- Jem

[Rasman]

Jem.. :-)

[mccfluff]

glad you enjoyed it rasman, i'm having the pork in hoisin today now ha ha