Embark on a culinary journey to savor the vibrant flavors of stir-fried watercress, masterfully crafted with the fiery heat of chilies and the nutty aroma of sesame oil. This delectable dish is a symphony of textures and tastes, featuring crisp watercress, tender stems, and a medley of aromatics that dance on your palate. Whether you prefer a classic rendition or crave a vegetarian or vegan variation, this article presents a trio of stir-fried watercress recipes that cater to diverse dietary preferences and culinary inclinations. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this healthy and flavorful dish that promises an unforgettable dining experience.
Let's cook with our recipes!
WATERCRESS STIR-FRY
Delicate watercress often gets the salad or garnish treatment, but it offers far more than just a sprinkle of peppery flavor. Harness its nutritional power in this energizing stir-fry, where ginger, garlic, and sesame oil impart bold flavor and the watercress brings antioxidants and calcium.
Provided by Greg Lofts
Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Vegan Recipes
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 7
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.
EASY SESAME CHICKEN STIR-FRY
This sesame chicken stir-fry is a very tasty, yet wholesome dish.
Provided by Mitchell Webber
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian
Time 55m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Combine soy sauce, orange juice, sesame oil, stevia powder, garlic powder, and ginger for teriyaki dressing in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly; continue cooking until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil and heat until shimmering, 1 to 2 minutes. Add chicken and garlic; stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Add broccoli and continue to stir-fry, 4 to 6 minutes. Add bamboo shoots and bell peppers; cook for an additional 4 to 6 minutes.
- Carefully pour the teriyaki dressing into the skillet (watch for splattering); cook until chicken is no longer pink in the center and juices run clear, and the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes more.
- Remove from heat and stir in green onion and sesame seeds, reserving some of each for garnish. Serve immediately over cooked white and wild rice with the reserved green onions and sesame seeds.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 346.6 calories, Carbohydrate 34.6 g, Cholesterol 64.6 mg, Fat 10.3 g, Fiber 3.9 g, Protein 30.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 1133.3 mg, Sugar 5.7 g
STIR-FRIED WATERCRESS: A HEALTHY LEAFY GREEN VEGETABLE
Watercress (西洋菜,sai yeung choi in Cantonese or xī yáng cài in Mandarin), is a super healthy vegetable often overlooked at the market because people don't know how to prepare it. Making this stir-fried watercress at home is an easy, delicious, and healthy way to change up the vegetables on your dinner table.
Provided by Bill
Categories Vegetables
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 9
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 117 kcal, Carbohydrate 2 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 12 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Sodium 338 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving
STIR-FRIED CHICKEN WITH WATERCRESS
Jicama, a type of root vegetable, makes a great stand-in for more traditional water chestnuts, giving the dish a nice crunchy element. Eat this dish on its own or with a little steamed brown rice.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Chicken Chicken Breast Recipes
Time 25m
Yield Makes 4 cups
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Toss chicken with 1 tablespoon cornstarch. In a small bowl, whisk together broth, vinegar, sugar, garlic chili sauce, soy sauce, and remaining cornstarch; set aside.
- In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Saute chicken until golden brown and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes; remove chicken and set aside. Add leek, jicama, bell pepper, ginger, and garlic; cook, stirring frequently until jicama is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Return chicken to pan along with watercress; cook until watercress has wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Whisk soy sauce mixture, then add to pan. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring constantly until the sauce has thickened, about 1 minute. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 313 g, Cholesterol 74 g, Fat 14 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 24 g, Sodium 672 g
SESAME VEGETABLE STIR-FRY
Broccoli, snow peas, red onion, and bell pepper are stir-fried in sesame oil and seasoned with soy sauce and sesame seeds.
Provided by Kikkoman
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips Kikkoman
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Trim broccoli leaving 1 inch of stem. Cut the remaining stems into small slices. Place broccoli and snow peas in a saucepan of boiling water and cook for 1 minute, drain and rinse immediately with cold water then drain well and set aside.
- Heat a large wok or large skillet over high heat. Add sesame oil, blanched broccoli and snow peas, red onion, red bell pepper, and garlic. Stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the snow peas, soy sauce and stir-fry 1 minute longer. Remove from heat and stir in sesame seeds.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 190.6 calories, Carbohydrate 16.9 g, Fat 11.4 g, Fiber 4.9 g, Protein 7 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, Sodium 1258.3 mg, Sugar 5.4 g
STIR-FRIED WATERCRESS WITH BEAN SAUCE
Stir-fried vegetables are almost as common in Southeast Asia as they are in China, and even the spices are similar. But the addition of dried shrimp and the use of nam pla are dead giveaways that this dish is from Indochina. It's usually made on the fiery side, so feel free to increase the chiles if you like. Information on fish sauces like nam pla is on page 500\. Other vegetables you can prepare this way: Green beans, parboiled broccoli or cauliflower, or a mixture of onions and peppers. All will take a little longer than fast-cooking watercress.
Yield makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- If you're using them, soak the dried shrimp in hot water to cover until softened, just a few minutes. Combine them in a small food processor with the chiles, garlic, and shallots and process to a paste. Toss with the watercress.
- Put the oil in a skillet or wok over high heat; a minute later, add the watercress and paste. Cook, stirring almost constantly, for about a minute, or until the watercress wilts. Stir in 2 tablespoons water, then the bean sauce, sugar, nam pla, and pepper; cook for 10 seconds, then turn off the heat.
- Taste and add salt or other seasoning as necessary. Stir in the basil and serve.
WILTED WATERCRESS WITH GARLIC
Provided by Andrea Reusing
Categories Wok Garlic Side Stir-Fry Low Carb Low Cal Dinner Lunar New Year Healthy Watercress Gourmet Sugar Conscious Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 8 (side dish) servings
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Heat a dry 12-inch heavy skillet or wok (not nonstick) over medium heat until hot. Add oil, then garlic, and cook, tossing constantly, until garlic is deep golden. Add watercress and salt, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook, tossing constantly, 45 seconds. Add stock and toss again, then cook, covered, until stems are crisp-tender and leaves are just wilted, about 20 seconds.
- Serve with garlic cloves arranged on top.
WATERCRESS & CHICKEN STIR-FRY
Make your own easy stir-fry sauce at home with storecupboard ingredients and combine with chicken, veg and cashews for a filling dinner.
Provided by Barney Desmazery
Categories Buffet, Dinner, Main course, Side dish, Snack, Supper
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- To make the sauce, mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl until completely blended. Heat the oil in a frying pan until very hot. Throw in the chicken, cashew nuts, pepper and onion, then stir-fry for about 4-5 mins until the chicken is cooked and the nuts are toasted. Pour over the sauce and simmer with a splash of water. Remove the pan from the heat, then stir through the watercress just before serving with boiled rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 323 calories, Fat 19 grams fat, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 15 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 10 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 24 grams protein, Sodium 1.92 milligram of sodium
Tips:
- Select the freshest watercress: Look for vibrant green leaves with crisp stems. Avoid wilted or yellowed leaves.
- Properly wash the watercress: Rinse the watercress thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or impurities.
- Use high-quality sesame oil: Opt for pure sesame oil for the best flavor and aroma. Avoid blended oils or low-quality substitutes.
- Adjust the chili peppers according to your preference: If you prefer a milder dish, use fewer chili peppers or remove the seeds for reduced heat. For a spicier stir-fry, add more chili peppers or leave the seeds intact.
- Stir-fry quickly over high heat: This cooking method helps retain the watercress's vibrant color and crispy texture while infusing it with flavors.
- Don't overcrowd the wok or pan: Stir-frying in batches prevents the watercress from steaming instead of stir-frying.
- Serve immediately: This dish is best enjoyed fresh and hot. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days.
Conclusion:
Stir-fried watercress with chilies and sesame oil is a delicious, nutritious, and easy-to-make dish that packs a flavorful punch. Its vibrant green color, slightly spicy kick, and nutty sesame flavor make it a perfect side dish or a light vegetarian meal. With its quick cooking time, minimal ingredients, and versatility, this stir-fry is a great addition to any weeknight dinner or lunch menu. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to impress with its simplicity and delightful taste. Bon appétit!
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