Tag: ramen

Spicy Garlic Cabbage and Vegetable Stir Fry: A Flavorful & Healthy Delight

Tom
Spicy Garlic Cabbage and Vegetable Stir Fry in a bowl with chopsticks

Spicy Garlic Cabbage and Vegetable Stir Fry: A Flavorful & Healthy Delight

Are you in search of a delightful and palate-pleasing stir-fry that is bursting with flavors? Look no further! Today, I’m excited to share with you a fantastic recipe that will tickle your taste buds and make your dinner table a feast of colors and aromas. Introducing the Spicy Garlic Cabbage and Vegetable Stir Fry. This is absolutely one of the best dishes I’ve ever made and it rivals anything you would get in a restaurant!

This stir fry is not just an explosion of taste but also a healthy and nutritious meal option. It is packed with an array of vibrant vegetables (and you can use and substitute whatever you have in the frig) that not only adds a burst of color to your plate but also provides essential vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers. The star of the show is the Napa cabbage (although you can substitute any type of cabbage you have on hand). Its delicate texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor make it an excellent base for absorbing the delectable sauce.

Speaking of sauce, the secret to this stir fry’s tantalizing taste lies in the well-balanced blend of spices and savory ingredients. The combination of hoisin sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, and the spicy kick of chili garlic oil (I love Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp for this) creates a symphony of flavors that will leave your taste buds craving more.

This Spicy Garlic Cabbage and Vegetable Stir Fry also allows for some customization, making it a versatile dish for your family and friends. If you want to amp up the protein content, feel free to add cooked chicken, pork, or shrimp to the mix. You can also throw in some bok choy to add another layer of texture and taste to the dish.

The best part about this stir fry is how quick and easy it is to make. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a satisfying and wholesome meal ready to serve. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, this recipe is straightforward to follow, ensuring your success in the kitchen.

In addition to being incredibly delicious and a breeze to make, this stir fry proves to be a brilliant tactic to win over even the pickiest eaters, enticing them to relish a variety of nutritious vegetables. The combination of the savory sauce and perfectly cooked vegetables might just convert even the most stubborn vegetable skeptic into a fan.

So, the next time you find yourself craving a flavorful and nutritious meal that’s a cinch to prepare, remember the Spicy Garlic Cabbage and Vegetable Stir Fry. It’s a recipe that not only delights the senses but also brings joy to the dinner table as everyone relishes the incredible taste of this colorful stir fry. Enjoy!

Btw, everything you need for any of my Asian recipes (like my Soy-Marinated Eggs, Pork Loin, Bok Choy and Shiitake Mushrooms), is available at Weee!, the best online source for all Asian ingredients. (Use this link to get $20 off your first two orders). They deliver in a day or two (and FREE delivery with a minimum purchase), and their prices are better than what you’ll find on Amazon or in brick-and-mortar stores.

Spicy Garlic Cabbage and Vegetable Stir Fry in a bowl with chopsticks
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Spicy Garlic Cabbage and Vegetable Stir Fry

This quick and easy stir fry is a colorful blend of Napa cabbage, snap peas, carrots, and more, perfectly coated in a savory, spicy sauce. A healthy and satisfying meal for any occasion!

Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Keyword Asian, noodles, snow peas, Stir Fry
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Author Tom

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons ginger minced
  • 3 green onions sliced thin with whites and green parts separated
  • 4 cups shredded Napa cabbage any cabbage can be substituted
  • 1 carrot grated or julienned
  • 1 cup sugar snap peas
  • 1 cup broccoli florets with their thinly sliced stalks
  • 1 package Mi Goreng Hot & Spicy Instant Noodles with the seasoning packets see note

Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce plus additional for serving
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • ½ tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 1 ½ teaspoons rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½-1½ teaspoon Spicy chili crisp oil (Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp Sauce is a great brand) to taste

Instructions

  1. Combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
  2. Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Drain, reserving ⅓ cup of the cooking water. Add the seasoning packets to the noodles, stir and set aside.
  3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok over medium heat. Add garlic, ginger and the whites of the green onions. Stir fry until fragrant., about 1-2 minutes.
  4. Turn the heat up to high, add the cabbage, sugar snap peas and carrots and stir fry until slightly tender, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Add the sauce, noodles and 2 tablespoons of the reserved cooking water (or more as needed). Toss and stir while cooking until everything is combined and the cabbage is tender, about 4-5 minutes.

  6. Remove from heat and garnish with the remaining green onion and sesame seeds. Drizzle with more Chili oil, additional hoisin or teriyaki sauce if desired.

Recipe Notes

• You can substitute most any ramen, but discard the seasoning packet
• Cooked chicken, pork or shrimp can be added.
• Bok Choy is also an excellent addition to this dish

Mastering the Art of Ramen with Soy-Marinated Eggs, Pork Loin, Bok Choy and Shiitake Mushrooms: Embracing Umami

Tom
Ramen Bowl with Pork Loin Shiitake Mushrooms Bok Cho and Soy-Marinated Egg

Embracing Umami: A Bowl of Ramen Delight

Japanese Ramen Bowl Ramen, the beloved Japanese comfort food, has taken the culinary world by storm. With its rich, savory broth and an array of delightful savory toppings, it has become a culinary canvas for chefs and home cooks alike. Today, we embark on a gastronomic journey, exploring the art of creating a steaming bowl of ramen adorned with a symphony of flavors. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds as we craft a bowl of ramen topped with a soy-marinated egg, tender slices of pork loin, vibrant bok choy, earthy shiitake mushrooms, and a sprinkle of green onions and sesame seeds. This post is intended as a guide, not a recipe…use it to spark an individual journey of your own into the world of ramen.

The Foundation: The Ramen Noodles and Broth: Before diving into the world of toppings, let’s begin with the foundation of any remarkable bowl of ramen—the broth. For this recipe, instead of starting from scratch, I simplified it, using a combination of Nongshim Chapagetti Jjajang Noodles and Laksa La Mian Noodles, cooking them according to the directions on the packages and combining them when they are done. Both of these (and everything else in this post) are available at Weee!, the best online source for all Asian and Hispanic ingredients. (Use the link to get $20 off your first two orders or use the QR code at the end of this post). They deliver in a day or two (with FREE delivery at a minimum purchase), and their prices are better than what you’ll find on Amazon or in brick-and-mortar stores.

The Soy-Marinated Ramen Egg: A Creamy Delight: No bowl of ramen is complete without a perfectly cooked soy-marinated egg. Achieving a velvety texture with a gooey yolk is an art in itself. Begin by soft-boiling eggs for exactly 6 minutes and 15 seconds and then plunging them into an ice bath to stop the cooking. When cool (about 15 minutes should do it) peel them and place them in a ziploc-type plastic bag with a mixture of ½ cup water or stock, 5 Tablespoons soy sauce, 4 Tablespoons mirin and 2 teaspoons of dark soy sauce and let them marinate overnight. When sliced in half and placed atop the ramen, the creamy yolk will blend harmoniously with the noodles and broth, adding a luscious depth of flavor.

Sliced Pork Loin: A Meltingly Tender Delicacy: Thinly sliced pork loin, cooked to perfection, is a signature element of many ramen recipes. Pan-sear the thin pork slices until they develop a caramelized crust, while remaining tender and juicy on the inside. These succulent morsels of meat bring a delightful sweetness and richness to the bowl, enhancing the overall experience.

Bok Choy: A Pop of Freshness: To add a touch of freshness and vibrant color, we introduce bok choy to our ramen masterpiece. Blanch the bok choy briefly to retain its crisp texture and bright green hue. It’s delicate bitterness and subtle sweetness provide a welcome contrast to the richness of the broth, bringing balance to each spoonful.

Shiitake Mushrooms: Earthy and Aromatic: Shiitake mushrooms, with their distinctive flavor profile, have long been a staple in Japanese cuisine. Slice these umami bombs and sauté them until golden brown, coaxing out their earthy aromas. With each bite, the mushrooms impart a deep, savory note that lingers on the palate, elevating the complexity of the dish.

Green Onions and Sesame Seeds: The Final Flourish: As we near the crescendo of our ramen symphony, we sprinkle a generous handful of finely chopped green onions and nutty sesame seeds over the bowl. These simple yet potent garnishes lend a burst of freshness and crunch, enhancing the visual appeal and providing an explosion of flavor with every spoonful. Sprinkle with a little Togarashi (7-spice chili powder) to give it a little kick.

Bringing it All Together: Now, picture this tantalizing combination of elements—steaming broth and noodles, creamy marinated egg, tender slices of pork loin, vibrant bok choy, and savory shiitake mushrooms—melding together in a harmonious dance of flavors. With chopsticks in hand, you take your first slurp, savoring the symphony of umami, the interplay of textures, and the layers of taste that unfold with every mouthful.

Creating a bowl of ramen with a soy-marinated egg, sliced pork loin, bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, and a garnish of green onions and sesame seeds is a culinary adventure that satisfies not only the stomach but also the soul. It’s a celebration of umami, the fifth taste, and a testament to the art of balancing flavors and textures.

As you take your last spoonful, you can’t help but feel a sense of fulfillment and contentment. The warm, nourishing broth, the tender pork, the fresh greens and the aromatic mushrooms come together to create a symphony of flavors that leave you craving more. Each ingredient has played its part, adding its unique essence to the composition, resulting in a bowl of ramen that is nothing short of a masterpiece.

So, the next time you find yourself yearning for a culinary adventure, gather the ingredients, set aside some time, and embark on a journey to create your own bowl of ramen delight. Let your creativity flow as you experiment with different toppings, flavors, and textures. Embrace the magic of umami and allow your taste buds to be transported to a realm of pure bliss.

Remember, the beauty of ramen lies not only in its taste but also in the process of crafting it with love and care.

So, roll up your sleeves, put on your apron, and let the aromas fill your kitchen as you embark on a culinary escapade that will leave you with a bowl of ramen that is as beautiful to behold as it is to savor.

Whether you enjoy it on a cozy evening at home or share it with loved ones, this bowl of ramen will undoubtedly become a cherished memory, a testament to your culinary prowess, and a celebration of the diverse and captivating world of food.

So, go forth, embrace the art of ramen-making, and let your taste buds dance to the symphony of flavors that await you in a bowl brimming with soy-marinated eggs, sliced pork loin, bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, and a sprinkling of green onions and sesame seeds. Bon appétit!

Note: Remember to adjust the recipe and cooking techniques according to your preferences and dietary restrictions. Enjoy the creative process and make it your own. Happy ramen-making!