Stir-Fried Vegetables: A Quick & Healthy Meal

Looking for a quick and healthy meal? Stir-fried vegetables are an excellent choice! This versatile dish can be customized to your liking with various ingredients from the fridge, making it incredibly adaptable. With minimal preparation time and easy cooking methods, you’ll have a delicious and nutritious meal in no time.

Ingredients

• Cabbage - 1 head (shredded)
• Carrots - 3 medium (sliced into matchsticks)
• Bell Peppers - 2 large (diced)
• Green Beans - 2 cups (cut into small pieces)
• Zucchini - 2 medium (sliced thinly)
• Snap Peas - 1 cup (trimmed and cut in half)
• Fresh Garlic Cloves - 3-4 cloves, minced
• Vegetable Oil or Olive Oil for cooking
• Salt to taste
• (Optional) Soy Sauce or Oyster Sauce - 1 tablespoon for seasoning

Cooking Instructions

For a hearty and satisfying meal, follow these simple steps:

1. Preparation: Begin by washing all the vegetables thoroughly. Slice the cabbage into thin strips and slice carrots, peppers, zucchini, and green beans to matchsticks or small pieces. Prepare all vegetables on a cutting board.
2. Heat 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large wok or deep skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. If you don’t have a wok, any large pan will work just fine.
3. Add the minced garlic and stir-fry for about 15 seconds. Garlic should be fragrant but not burnt.
4. Start adding the vegetables into the hot pan in small batches to avoid overcrowding. Stir-fry each batch until they are slightly tender-crisp, about 3-4 minutes per batch. This helps prevent them from becoming soggy or mushy.
5. Mix all the cooked vegetables together once done and let it simmer for another minute if you’d like to deepen the flavor a bit more.
6. If desired, add soy sauce or oyster sauce at this point for extra flavor. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt as needed.
7. Serve hot directly on the plate or bowl.

Benefits of Stir-Fried Vegetables

This dish is not only quick to prepare but also packed with health benefits:

• Packed with Nutrients:** Each type of vegetable brings its unique set of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Cabbage helps support the immune system; carrots provide beta-carotene for skin health; bell peppers contain vitamin C which aids in wound healing.
• Low in Calories:** Stir-fried vegetables are a low-calorie meal that can be enjoyed guilt-free as part of balanced diet.
• High in Fiber:** The fiber content helps improve digestion and promotes weight management.
• Freshness Matters:** Using fresh ingredients ensures the highest quality nutrition. It is always preferable to use whole, unprocessed vegetables rather than frozen or canned ones when possible for optimal taste and health benefits.