Stir-fries would have to be one of the greatest things to come out of Asian cooking. Nutritious, big on flavour and super easy to make, they’re adored by both kitchen newbies and seasoned chefs alike. The magic really lies in the dish's simplicity – chop up some meat and vegetables, blend a simple sauce, then ‘stir’ it all up in a searing wok. With so many potential meat-vegetable-sauce combinations, the stir-fry is destined to never get old.
Here are four of our favourite Asian stir-fry recipes that deserve a place on your kitchen table. Fire up the stove and let’s get cooking!
1. Healthy Shrimp, Asparagus and Quinoa Salad
Given their complementary textures and flavours, shrimp, quinoa and asparagus are a match made in heaven when thrown into a stir-fry. Light, fresh and easy to make, this dish is also low in calories, which makes it suitable for those who are health conscious.
Extra tip: Proper cooking time is the key to the perfect firm consistency in shrimp. For this recipe, the shrimp are generally cooked in three to about five minutes so be sure to avoid overcooking!
2. Easy Asian Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry
This one-pan dish is the epitome of delicious Asian cooking that won't break the bank. Fast and easy, this recipe is a filling low carb dinner with big flavour and endless possibilities for customisation. Always remember to cook the meat first as that requires more time. Once it's close to being cooked through, add in the cabbage and fry for a few minutes till tender.
Extra tip: Switch up flavours by matching this with different types of rice! Unsure how to cook other grains? Here's our handy guide!
3. Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry
When it comes to eating fruits and vegetables, health experts such as those from Nutrition Australia recommend that we should 'eat a rainbow'. This is because each vegetable colour (red, purple/blue, orange/yellow, green, brown/white) offers a unique set of disease fighting chemicals called phytochemicals. With so many colours in this dish, there’s no doubt that you will be covering all of your nutritional bases while fulfilling your protein requirements!
Extra tip: Since this recipe is relatively easy, turn your cooking session into a family activity by getting your kids involved!
4. Oriental Vegetable Noodles
We can't resist a big bowl of homemade noodles and soup, especially when it's combined with a delicious array of veggies! Our Oriental Vegetable Noodles recipe is great for beginners and can be whipped up in under an hour. What's more, this highly versatile recipe works great with different kinds of Asian-styled broth.