| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 40 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 135 | 7g | 1g | 17g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 9g | 5g | 4g | 0.95g |
One dish that never fails to find its way onto my dinner table is the Stir Fried Vegetables with Keluak. It’s a bold, flavorful dish that beautifully marries the comfort of my Southern background with a bite of West African influence, paying homage to my Nigerian roots. From the tang of the Indonesian black nut, Keluak, to the subtle sweetness provided by the selection of bell peppers and snap peas, it’s a celebration of flavors in each bite. 
Fusion Cooking at Its Finest
Stir Fried Vegetables with Keluak embodies what I’ve come to love about Afro-Southern fusion – its ability to transport you on a global culinary journey without stepping outside your kitchen. Much like West African vegetable stir-fry, it borrows generously from the earth’s pharmacopoeia, honouring the age-old wisdom of my ancestors who knew the indelible link between food and health.
The Health Benefits
Each ingredient in the Stir Fried Vegetables with Keluak brings a cascade of health benefits. The rainbow of vegetables offers a powerhouse of antioxidants and fiber, all essential for good digestion, while the Keluak brings in a symphony of essential minerals. The choice of soy sauce and oyster sauce, though modest, adds a dash of flavor without overwhelming its health-focused ethos.
Paired with staples like Southern fried chicken or a flavorful skillet cornbread from my Atlanta upbringing, this dish transforms any meal into a well-rounded, wholesome experience.
Ultimately, what you have is a jazzed-up vegetable stir fry with a nutritious, flavour-packed upgrade that’s well worth the trip to your kitchen.
What You’ll Need
- 8 pieces of Keluak (Indonesian black nut)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
- 2 medium-sized carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 cup snap peas, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Method
Step One
Start off by prepping the Keluak nuts. Crack them open with a small pick, then remove the black meat inside. Rinse them under cold water and set them aside for later.
Step Two
In a large pan or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and sliced yellow onion into the pan. Cook until the onions are translucent and soft.
Step Three
Add the red bell pepper strips, sliced carrots, broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, sliced zucchini, and snap peas to the pan. Stir fry these vegetables for about 5-7 minutes, until they are cooked but still have a slight crunch to them.
Step Four
Next, stir in the prepared Keluak, cooking it with the vegetables for about 2 minutes. This will allow the flavour of the Keluak to integrate with the other ingredients.
Step Five
Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, ground black pepper, and sugar to the stir fry. Stir these seasonings into the vegetables and Keluak, ensuring everything is coated evenly. Cook the stir fry for another 2-3 minutes for all the flavours to meld together.
Step Six
Once everything is thoroughly cooked and well mixed, remove the pan from the heat. Your Stir Fried Vegetables with Keluak is now ready to be enjoyed!
