Stir Fried Asparagus
Instructions:
- Among the simplest and most straightforward of stirfries
and one of the best made with only one vegetable.
Other vegetables you can use: green beans, snow peas, or
chopped broccoli.
- 11/2 to 2 pounds asparagus, trimmed, peeled, and cut into 2-inch lengths
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil or neutral oil, like grapeseed or corn
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 small dried red chiles (optional)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil (optional)
- Salt if necessary
- If the asparagus is thick, follow the directions for Asparagus Done Simply undercooking the asparagus a bit and shocking them , then draining and drying. If they’re thin, no precooking is necessary.
- When you’re ready to cook, heat a large skillet over high heat for 3 or 4 minutes. Add the oil, wait a few seconds, then add the asparagus. Cook, stirring, for a minute, then stir in the garlic and the chiles if you’re using them. Cook until the asparagus is dry, hot, and beginning to brown, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Add 2 tablespoons water and the soy sauce and continue to cook until the asparagus is tender. Add the sesame oil if you’re using it and salt if necessary (the soy may have been salty enough) and serve.
- Stir-Fried Asparagus with Squid or Shrimp.
- Increase the oil to 3 tablespoons. In Step 2, start with 2 tablespoons of oil; when it’s hot, add 8 ounces cleaned and sliced squid or peeled shrimp. Cook, stirring frequently, until just opaque, 3 to 5 minutes, depending on their size. Remove with a slotted spoon. Add the remaining oil to the pan and proceed with the recipe, stirring in the squid or shrimp just as the asparagus begins to brown.