Stir Fried Watercress With Chilies And Sesame Oil Recipes

STIR-FRIED WATERCRESS: A HEALTHY LEAFY GREEN VEGETABLE

Steps:

• Place your wok over medium high heat, and add the oil, spreading it around to coat the surface of the wok.
• Add the ginger, letting it caramelize and infuse the oil. Take care not to let it burn. Add the minced garlic, and give it a stir. Immediately add the watercress (if you wait too long, your garlic could burn). Turn the heat up to high.
• Stir-fry the watercress for 20 seconds to evenly distribute the ginger, garlic and oil. Once mixed, move all of the watercress to the center of the wok in a small pile, and cover the wok.
• After 45 seconds, uncover the wok. There should be plenty of steam at this point. Use a circular stirring motion to drag the pile of watercress and some of the liquid around the sides of the superheated wok. Stirring the watercress against the hottest and driest part of the wok will generate that wok hay flavor. Gather the watercress back in the middle of the wok. To give you an idea of the cooking time, this step should take no more than 20 seconds.
• While you wait for the sides of the wok to reheat, add the white pepper, sugar, salt, sesame oil and MSG, if using. (A quick note on the spices: we list MSG as optional because many people shy away from it, but it's a tasty addition to leafy green vegetables that really gives you that restaurant flavor. Use it per your own tastes and perspectives!)
• Stir-fry the mixture again to mix in the seasonings, once more stirring the watercress and the liquid so it hits the sides of the wok to generate more wok hay.
• Use your wok spatula to scoop the watercress onto a shallow rimmed bowl, making sure to get the remaining liquid, as it's super-infused with garlic, ginger, and those vitamins from the watercress. Serve as a side dish or just with some white rice as a super light vegan meal.

STIR-FRIED WATERCRESS WITH CHILIES AND SESAME OIL

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Lightly salt the water, add the watercress and blanch for 30 seconds. Quickly drain and rinse under cold running water. Pat the watercress dry.
• Heat the canola oil in a large heavy skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and jalapenos and saute until fragrant, stirring constantly, about 30 seconds. Add the watercress and stir for 1 minute. Place in a bowl and toss with the sesame oil and soy sauce. Divide among 4 plates and serve immediately.

PANFRIED TOFU ON SESAME WATERCRESS WITH SOY-ORANGE DRESSING

Steps:

• Pat tofu dry. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté tofu until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate.
• Heat remaining 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil in skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook watercress, turning with tongs, until just wilted. Stir in sesame seeds. Transfer watercress to a platter and arrange tofu on top.
• Simmer remaining ingredients in skillet 1 minute and drizzle sauce over tofu.

WATERCRESS STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Heat a wok or cast-iron skillet over high. When wisps of smoke rise, swirl in vegetable oil. Add minced ginger and minced garlic and cook until sizzling, 15 seconds.
• Add watercress; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until greens collapse, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and toss with sesame oil. Serve watercress topped with toasted sesame seeds.