| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 20 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 121 | 7g | 1g | 13g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 6g | 4g | 3g | 0.8g |
I’ve always been drawn to the stories that food tells us about our heritage. This Celery Seed and Cabbage Stir Fry, for example, is more than just a recipe – it’s a celebration of flavors and a nod to traditional cooking methods. Inspired by the welcoming kitchens of my grandparents, I’ve mixed things up a bit, fusing their Italian-American cooking style with Asian influences, resulting in this vibrant and delightful dish.
The Power of Simplicity
What I love about this particular stir fry is its simplicity. Often with food, we tend to complicate things, imagining that the more ingredients we throw into the pan, the better the dish will be. However, the Celery Seed and Cabbage Stir Fry teaches us that sometimes, less is more. Each ingredient has been carefully chosen for its flavor and contribution to the overall dish, allowing the cabbage and celery seeds to star.
Health Benefits and Matching Dishes
This favorite recipe of mine not only feeds the body but also fuels it. Cabbage is packed with nutrition, offering a substantial amount of fiber and vitamin C. The humble celery seeds bring more to the table than just flavor. They are a good source of antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties.
A perfect match for this stir fry would be a lean protein like steamed fish or a hearty grain like brown rice.
Beyond the health benefits, and subtle familiarity of ingredients reminiscent of my childhood, the Celery Seed and Cabbage Stir Fry earns its place close to my heart for the memories it creates. Preparing it with grandchildren as a fun weekend activity or serving it as a side dish at the family reunion, this dish, for me, is all about closeness, nostalgia, and the power of a hearty meal to bring everyone together. Many dishes can replicate this stir fry’s crunch and vibrant flavors, but they will struggle to match the wealth of memories that it evokes.
What You’ll Need
- 1 medium-sized head of cabbage, shredded
- 2 tablespoons of celery seeds
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium-sized onion, diced
- 2 carrots, julienned
- 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of white vinegar
Method
Step One
First, prepare all the ingredients. Shred the cabbage, mince the garlic, dice the onion and julienne the carrots. Set these aside for later.
Step Two
In a large pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the diced onion to the pan and sauté until it turns golden brown.
Step Three
After the onion has turned a nice golden brown, add the minced garlic to the pan. Sauté the garlic with the onion for about a minute, taking care not to burn it.
Step Four
In the next step, you will add the shredded cabbage and julienned carrots to the pan. Stir fry these vegetables, making sure they all get evenly cooked.
Step Five
Take your celery seeds, salt, and pepper and add these to the pan. Stir everything together allowing the spices to combine with the vegetables and release their flavors.
Step Six
Finally, add the soy sauce and white vinegar to the pan. Stir everything together one last time. Let the stir fry cook for another couple of minutes so that the vegetables soak up the flavors of the sauce.
Step Seven
Turn off the heat and your Celery Seed and Cabbage Stir Fry is ready to serve. You can enjoy this as a standalone dish or as a side for your main course.
