Enjoy this quick and delicious Vegetable Stir Fry, a blend of sweet, mildly spicy flavors with fresh veggies and aromatic sauce. Ideal as a vegan side dish for rice or noodles, it's a wholesome meal ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for a nutritious and satisfying lunch or dinner!
In a bowl, mix together chicken or vegetable broth, soy sauce, chili flakes, cornstarch, and brown sugar. Whisk these ingredients until well combined, ensuring the cornstarch and sugar are fully dissolved for a smooth sauce.
Reserve this stir fry sauce for later use, allowing the flavors to blend and enhance the final dish.
To Make Vegetable Stir Fry
Start by heating sesame oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add ginger, garlic, and Thai red chilies. Sauté these aromatics until they release their distinctive fragrances, laying the flavor foundation for the dish.
Add broccoli florets and carrots into the wok. Stir fry them until they achieve a perfect balance of crispiness on the outside and tenderness inside, bringing out their natural flavors and textures.
Introduce the remaining vegetables: mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, baby corn, and snap peas. Season with salt and black pepper. This variety ensures a mix of textures and flavors, enhancing the overall taste.
Continue stir frying the vegetables for about 2 to 3 minutes. Aim for a crispy yet tender finish, which is key for a good stir fry.
Pour in the reserved sauce over the veggies, stirring thoroughly to coat them. This step allows each vegetable to be infused with the sauce's rich flavors.
Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken slightly, which will help it cling to the vegetables. Garnish with spring onions and sesame seeds for an added crunch and freshness. Your healthy, flavorful Vegetable Stir Fry is now ready to be served and savored!
To Serve
Enjoy your delicious Vegetable Stir Fry as is, or pair it with your favorite side for a complete meal. For added versatility, check out our serving suggestions section for more creative pairing ideas.
Notes
Here are some essential tips to make the best Vegetable Stir:
Prep Ahead: Since stir-frying is a quick process done on high heat, it's crucial to have all your veggies chopped and ingredients prepped beforehand. This ensures everything cooks evenly and quickly, capturing the perfect texture.
Uniform Vegetable Size: Cut your vegetables into uniform sizes. This ensures they cook evenly and at the same rate, maintaining both texture and flavor.
High Heat, Quick Cooking: Stir-frying is all about cooking quickly at high temperatures. Ensure your wok or pan is hot before adding ingredients. This technique seals in flavors and keeps veggies crisp.
Avoid Overcrowding: Cook in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the pan can lead to steaming instead of stir-frying, resulting in soggy vegetables.
Stir Constantly: Keep the ingredients moving in the pan. This prevents burning and ensures each piece is evenly coated with the sauce and cooked through.
Sauce Timing: Add the sauce towards the end of cooking. This prevents the sauce from burning and allows the vegetables to retain their texture.
Fresh Ingredients: Use the freshest vegetables and ingredients available. Fresh produce significantly enhances the flavor and nutritional value of your dish.
Experiment with Textures: Besides vegetables, consider adding ingredients like nuts or seeds for an added crunch, enhancing the overall eating experience.
Wok Usage: Choose a traditional wok for optimal heat distribution and easy tossing. Ensure it's well-seasoned for non-stick cooking and flavor enhancement. If using a non-stick pan, stir gently and use lower temperatures.