| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 316 | 11g | 2.3g | 18g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 5g | 2g | 34g | 1.8g |
If you’ve been following my culinary journey, you may already know that my heart beats for the fusion of vibrant flavors. And there’s nothing more gratifying, for me, than channeling my Louisiana Creole roots and French ancestry into the recipes I share with you. However, every now and then, I step out of my comfort zone to experiment with tastes from around the globe. Today’s dish — the Chinese Mallow and Shrimp Stir-Fry, demonstrates just that.
Evoke the flavors of the East
Chinese cuisine greatly appeals to me for its emphasis on freshness, variety, and balance. The Chinese Mallow and Shrimp Stir-Fry is a vivid encapsulation of these qualities, blending juicy shrimp with crunchy vegetables, all stir-fried to perfection. The addition of Chinese mallow — a leafy, green vegetable, lends the dish a unique, slightly bitter flavor, whilst offering myriad”health benefits“.
Easy to Make And Versatile
This dish is incredibly easy to make, yet it can make any meal feel like a feast, whether you’re dining solo or hosting friends. It’s also delightfully versatile. Although I’ve made it with shrimp here, you can certainly swap it out for tofu, chicken, beef or whatever protein you prefer.
Furthermore,I often swap the Chinese mallow leaves for other leafy greens when Chinese mallow is unavailable — spinach, bok choy or Chard works in this case. This capability to interchange ingredients makes it similar to many other great Asian stir-fry dishes such as “Pad Thai” or a simple “vegetable stir-fry“.
Pair it Up!
This stir-fry serves well with Asian style noodles or even a bowl of steaming jasmine rice. If you’re like me and enjoy a multi-course meal, try serving it alongside a “Hot and Sour Soup” or some “Chinese Pork Dumplings“.
All in all, this recipe is a nod to my ongoing exploration of world flavors. It’s an exciting break from my usual line-up of beignets or éclairs, yet it carries the same spirit of culinary curiosity that I approach all my recipes with. I hope you’ll take this journey with me and find the same joy in whipping up this Chinese Mallow and Shrimp Stir-Fry as I did. Bon Appétit!
What You’ll Need
- 1.5 lbs of fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp of vegetable oil
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp of fresh ginger, minced
- 2 cups of Chinese mallow leaves, washed and chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 3 tbsp of soy sauce
- 2 tbsp of oyster sauce
- 1 tsp of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp of cornstarch
- 1/4 cup of water
- 1 tsp of white sugar
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Step One
First, make sure your shrimp are peeled and deveined. Set them aside for now.
Step Two
Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the minced garlic and ginger and sauté until they become fragrant.
Step Three
Add the Chinese mallow leaves to the wok and stir-fry for about 2 minutes. Then, add the sliced red and green bell peppers and the sliced onion. Continue to stir-fry for another 2 minutes.
Step Four
Add the shrimp to the wok and cook until they turn pink. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and red pepper flakes if desired. Continue to cook for another minute.
Step Five
In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch, water, and sugar. Stir until the sugar and cornstarch completely dissolve. Pour this mixture into the wok and stir until the sauce thickens.
Step Six
Finally, add the chopped green onions to the wok and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Cook for another minute or two, and then remove from heat.
Step Seven
Now, your Chinese Mallow and Shrimp Stir-Fry is ready to serve! Enjoy this delicious dish with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
