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Pinchin' Pennie$ in the Kitchen: 7 Steps to Creating a Stir-fry (FN1649 Reviewed, Jan. 2018)

You don’t have to eat at a restaurant to enjoy a delicious stir-fry. Try making your own stir-fry using the foods in your pantry, refrigerator or freezer. You can start with fresh foods or use frozen vegetables.

Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., Food and Nutrition Specialist

Availability: Web only


Photo by iStock
1. Choose a protein.

• 1 pound chicken, beef or pork cut in small, bite-sized pieces, OR one package of firm tofu cut into ½-inch cubes. For uniform cooking, cut the protein into similar-sized pieces.

2. Marinate protein in one of the following:

• 3 to 4 Tbsp. soy sauce or teriyaki sauce, reduced-sodium
• 3 to 4 Tbsp. chicken broth
• 3 to 4 Tbsp. apple juice

3. Prepare produce.

• 1 onion, cut into wedges
• 1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 c. fresh vegetables (shredded carrots, shredded cabbage, sliced mushrooms, sliced celery, sliced peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, etc.) or substitute frozen stir-fry vegetables

4. Make a sauce and a glaze.

• Sauce: ¼ c. chicken broth, ¼ c. soy sauce, 1 to 2 tsp. sugar, 2 to 4 tsp. vinegar
• Glaze: 2 tsp. cornstarch plus 2 Tbsp. water or chicken broth

5. Cook the meat.

• Turn skillet on high, add 1 Tbsp. oil and half of the protein. Stir-fry until fully cooked, about two to three minutes. Transfer to bowl and cover. Stir-fry the remaining protein.

6. Cook the veggies.

• Add 2 Tbsp. oil. Stir-fry onion until tender, add garlic and then remaining vegetables. Cook the vegetables to the desired tenderness.

7. Combine the ingredients.

• Return the meat to the pan with the veggies. Add sauce and stir gently until everything is coated evenly.
• Stir in “glaze” and stir-fry until the sauce in the pan is glossy and thickened.
• Serve immediately over rice or noodles.

Menu idea:

Stir-fry beef and broccoli over brown rice, fresh or canned pineapple and fat-free or low-fat milk

Source: Adapted with permission from Utah State University.

For more information about nutrition, food safety and health, visit this website.

January 2018

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