Best 5 Watercress Stir Fry Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey with watercress, a leafy green bursting with peppery flavor and nutritional value. In this article, we present a diverse collection of stir-fry recipes that showcase the versatility of watercress and its ability to transform ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences. From a classic stir-fry brimming with vibrant colors and textures to a tantalizing combination of watercress and aromatic spices, these recipes cater to various dietary preferences and culinary tastes. Get ready to elevate your weeknight dinners or impress your guests with these delectable watercress stir-fry creations.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

STIR-FRIED CHICKEN WITH WATERCRESS



Stir-Fried Chicken with Watercress image

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

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch
2/3 cup low-sodium chicken stock
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic chili sauce
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as safflower
1 leek, halved lengthwise, well-washed and thinly sliced crosswise
1/2 medium jicama (about 6 ounces), peeled, thinly sliced, and cut into matchsticks
1 red bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed, cut into 1/2-inch strips
2 tablespoons minced peeled ginger
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 bunches watercress (about 21 ounces), thick stems trimmed, coarsely chopped

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

WATERCRESS STIR-FRY



Watercress Stir-Fry image

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

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 bunches watercress, thick stems removed
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish

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.

ZUCCHINI, WATERCRESS AND SQUID STIR-FRY



Zucchini, Watercress and Squid Stir-Fry image

Provided by Florence Fabricant

Categories     dinner, easy, weekday, one pot, main course

Time 45m

Yield 4 appetizer servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/2 pound cleaned squid, in thin rings, with tentacles
1 teaspoon salt
12 ounces zucchini (about 2 medium), sliced thin
2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
4 ounces watercress (about 1/2 bunch), heavy stems removed

Steps:

  • Toss the squid in a bowl with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Toss the zucchini in another bowl with remaining salt. Set both aside 30 minutes, then rinse and pat dry.
  • Pour oil in a wok or skillet over high heat. Add the zucchini and stir-fry about one minute, until just starting to look wilted and translucent. Remove, draining any liquid back into the pan. Add the squid and stir-fry until just starting to firm up. Add the fish sauce. Return the zucchini to the skillet. Add the sugar. Stir-fry a few seconds to combine. Add the soy sauce and watercress, and stir-fry until the watercress just starts to wilt.
  • Transfer to a serving dish with a slotted spoon, draining well. Cook liquid in pan until it reduces a little and pour over vegetables and squid. Serve hot or just warm.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 133, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 11 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 610 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams

WATERCRESS & CHICKEN STIR-FRY



Watercress & chicken stir-fry image

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

1 tbsp sunflower oil
2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
100g cashew nuts
1 red or yellow pepper, deseeded and chopped into large chunks
1 red onion, chopped into large chunks
2 x 75g bags watercress
cooked rice, to serve (optional)
3 tbsp hoisin sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 large knob of fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp rice vinegar or white wine vinegar

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

WILTED WATERCRESS WITH GARLIC



Wilted Watercress with Garlic image

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

2 tablespoon corn oil
12 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
4 bunches watercress (about 20 ounces), trimmed (about 12 packed cups)
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup chicken stock or reduced-sodium broth

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.

Tips:

  • Choose fresh, tender watercress: Look for watercress bunches with vibrant green leaves and crisp stems. Avoid wilted or yellowing watercress.
  • Wash watercress thoroughly: Rinse the watercress under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Use a salad spinner to remove excess water.
  • Remove the tough stems: Before cooking, remove the tough stems from the watercress. This will make the stir-fry more tender and easier to eat.
  • Use high heat and a large skillet: Watercress cooks quickly, so it's important to use high heat and a large skillet to ensure even cooking. A wok is a great option for stir-frying watercress.
  • Stir-fry in small batches: If you're cooking a large amount of watercress, stir-fry it in small batches to prevent overcrowding the pan. This will help the watercress cook evenly and prevent it from steaming.
  • Don't overcook the watercress: Watercress cooks very quickly, so it's important to not overcook it. Overcooked watercress will become limp and lose its vibrant color.
  • Season to taste: Season the watercress stir-fry with your favorite seasonings. Some common seasonings that pair well with watercress include garlic, ginger, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil.

Conclusion:

Watercress stir-fry is a quick, easy, and healthy dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or side dish. Watercress is a nutrient-rich leafy green that is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. By following these tips, you can create a delicious and healthy watercress stir-fry that the whole family will enjoy!

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