Spinach Stir Fry with Garlic
This is a Chinese inspired dish, made of blanched spinach seasoned with garlic, spring onion, and soy sauce. It only takes 10 minutes, making it a great option for your holiday menu or as a side for any weeknight dinner.
Servings1 serving
Calories:
INGREDIENTS ( 1 CUP = 240 ML )
- 250 grams or 0.6 pounds fresh spinach cleaned and washed
- 1½ teaspoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 fresh red chili chopped (or as needed)
- 1 spring onion chopped
- ½ teaspoon soy sauce
- salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep the spinach
- Cut off and discard the thick stem of the spinach.
- Dip the spinach in a large vessel of water and let it sit for a minute to loosen any dirt or soil. Drain and wash the spinach and repeat.
Blanch the spinach
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Add the spinach leaves, stir to submerge in the boiling water, and blanch them for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Take out the spinach leaves with a tong and immediately soak in cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Squeeze out excess water - but not all the liquid from the leaves and stems.
- Then roughly cut the spinach into 1-2" length and put them in a bowl.
Stir fry the spinach
- Heat oil in a preheated pan, add garlic, and chili. Stir fry for 10 to 20 seconds or until just fragrant.
- Add spring onion and stir fry for about 20 seconds.
- Add spinach, soy sauce, and salt to taste. Stir fry the spinach to coat and mix with the oil and seasoning.
- Remove from flame and serve hot, adding toasted sesame seeds.
Notes
- Be careful not to squeeze out all the liquid from spinach and make it dry.
- Do not want to blanch the spinach - just cook the spinach until wilted, then drain water and follow the stir-frying step as written.
- Variations: for additional flavor, you can add some mushrooms or shrimps and add before stir-frying spinach.