Quick, Cheap and Tasty Stir Fry

This is another way to use cheap roast pork or chicken.  I'm not going to dictate a recipe, because the whole point is to use whatever ingredients you happen to have available.  I just want to share an easy cooking method for an inexpensive, healthy Chinese stir-fry meal you can make in minutes without using a wok.  The measurements given are for one serving.  Multiply as required.

See previous posts for how to prepare pork shoulder or leg or chicken legs and thighs.  In either case, you'll end up with chunks of meat and gelatinized stock.

Check your refrigerator for any vegetables that are nearing their use-by date that would work in a stir-fry.  Slice them into pieces around 1 centimetre thick.

Check your freezer for things like sliced mixed peppers, mixed stir-fry vegetables, julienned carrots or sliced mushrooms.  If you have frozen veggies like broccoli that come in big chunks, you'll need to defrost and slice them before using. 

You should have crushed garlic and ginger, soy sauce and five spice powder on hand.  It helps if you've also got a bottle of some sort of Chinese flavouring such as hoi sin sauce, oyster sauce, plum sauce, sweet chilli sauce or black bean sauce.  For a bit of a kick, you'll need some dried or crushed chillis.  Check your pantry for value-priced peanuts or cashews.

  

Put about a tablespoon of the stock, including the fat that's congealed on top,  into a frying pan over medium heat.  When it's melted and bubbling,  add a half teaspoon each of crushed garlic and ginger.  If desired, add chilli.  Stir for about a minute. 

Add any sliced, uncooked vegetables and stir until tender.  Throw in frozen, pre-sliced vegetables and stir till defrosted.  Add enough chunks of cooked meat for one portion and, if desired, a handful of nuts. 

Pour over about a tablespoon of soy sauce and sprinkle on about a teaspoon of five spice powder.  Add about a tablespoon of any thick Chinese sauce.  Stir everything for a couple of minutes until the meat has absorbed the flavourings  You're done!

You can serve this over rice or noodles, but, if you're trying to watch your weight, why not skip the empty calories from refined carbohydrates?  The vegetables and nuts will provide a variety of textures and flavours.