I love this dish because it's relatively healthy and very easy to modify according to what you have on hand. Plus, it's so pretty! Just look at those colors!
This stir fry had chicken, yellow squash, carrots, red bell pepper, and broccoli. I'm also a big fan of sugar snap peas and baby corn, but I didn't get to plan ahead this time, so we used what we've got!
Start by placing raw chicken in a greased frying pan over medium heat. At this point, I brushed a little bit of sauce all over it.
If I'd had time to marinate the chicken, I probably would've done so. But this was a quick, whatever-we-have dinner, if you haven't gotten that point yet. :)
I love Kikkoman sauces. I've tried experimenting and making my own stir-fry sauces at home, and they usually turn out pretty well. But I keep coming back to my old reliable Kikkoman. It's tasty and it's simple. Can't complain! Although my dad makes a wonderful lemony stir-fry sauce that I need to steal from him sometime. If I can master it, maybe that will replace it.
Cover the chicken, and while it cooks, chop up your veggies. Once you can't see any more pink on the chicken, flip it over and cut it into small pieces with a fork. Then, add in a little bit of oil and your veggies. (I tossed in the carrots and broccoli a few minutes before the peppers and squash, just because they take longer to cook). Stir frequently. I like to go ahead and add a little bit more of the sauce at this point, just for the extra flavor boost.
By the way, see how shiny the food is? I used way too much oil this time, bringing that whole "healthy" thing down a notch and also making it a bit slimy.
It was still delicious, but definitely could've been better. I think I kept adding in oil because I was worried the vegetables wouldn't cook properly or something. Just keep in mind that you can always add more, but you can't take away what you put in. So easy on the oil!
Once the vegetables are cooked to your preference (I like them to still be a bit crisp), serve them on a bed of hot cooked rice.
Speaking of rice, I need some advice. Rice advice. Heh heh. :) Anyway, I just can't cook the stuff. It seems to turn out differently every time: too mushy, too firm, etc. What I usually do is this: heat 2 parts water to boiling, add 1 part rice, cover and reduce heat to low, cook 20 minutes. At our old apartment I got it right every once in a while, but now it never happens. Anyone care to share your method with me? Is it just my stupid stove? Do I need to invest in a rice cooker?
6 comments:
Launi--its Darin call me for the rice recipe--after all I am 1/32 Chinese after serving my mission and I have had over 15 years of decent rice experience!!
Launi, I can't cook rice either!!! The same thing happens to me every time. We have a microwavable rice cooker even, and I have the same problem. Let me know if you ever figure it out!
First of all, I love the new blog. I love trying other people's recipes.
Before we got a rice cooker (I love it), I would put my rice in a pot and rinse the rice (pouring water over it in the pot until the water was more clear). I then put it on the stove on med-high/high. Once the water started boiling, I covered and turned the heat to low. I never measured, so I can't help with that, but you sound right.
Have you tried the Kikkoman sweet and sour sauce? I tried it once and was not a fan - but maybe it was becasue of the type of meat I used or something. I do the same thing for my rice - and it turns out pretty decent almost every time. Could be the stovetop you are using???
can't wait to check back and try some recipes! that stir fry looks delish!
I hated rice until we bought a rice cooker. We just never ate it cause I had the same problem you do. Buy a rice cooker, you won't regret it! It turns out perfect every time, and I bought mine for only $15 at Walmart.
Post a Comment