Use a wok for this masterpiece of Asian cookery!

Toss into the wok about a half-cup low-sodium soy or teriyaki sauce, a touch of ginger powder and a splash of Newman’s Own Sesame Ginger Dressing. Add more of the dressing if you love the taste of this delightful, light flavor. To this basic mix, add: Snap peas; kale or bok choy; water chestnuts; celery; green beans; shredded carrots; or other fresh veggies, such as green or red bell pepper, that will not wilt in the first round of stir-fry. Hint: If the sauce begins to cook away, add chicken or vegetable broth, as you go.

As these vegetables are softening, slice, and set aside, raw cabbage. Hint: This can be accomplished when slicing the cabbage for the salad. Just slice an extra amount and refrigerate in a bowl, covered in wet paper towel. Another trick is put the sliced cabbage in a bowl with a healthy amount of the sesame dressing, above, which will serve as an Asian slaw, the basis for an additional salad, or added to this stir-fry. It will stay fresh for 4 to 5 days! Packaged cabbage slaw will work, as well as the home sliced.

Broccoli, which gets mushy when cooked too long should be added along with the cabbage and tossed until both are just-tender. There is a wonderful array of Oriental or Asian Stir-Fry combos in the freezer section of your supermarket or Costco. We always have a huge bag of this frozen mixed wonder available at the flick of a finger. In fact, you can find fresh, bagged, Asian vegetable mix where the pre-washed, cut, and bagged veggies are located in the produce section. This is the time to throw a few handfuls into the wok to add to the variety.

As soon as the lighter weight veggies are added, combine 2 Tablespoons cornstarch to about 1-2 Tablespoons water and stir until the cornstarch is thoroughly dissolved. Make an indention in the center of the veggies in the wok so that you can see the liquid bubbling. Add the cornstarch mixture and stir, within the well you fashioned, until thickened. As soon as it starts thickening you want to start gently tossing this beautiful creation. It changes the runny sauce to a thick, shiny consistency just perfect to add to a bed of rice. Hint: If you like the flavor of a sweet bouquet, add a Tablespoon, or 2, of Orange Marmalade or Pineapple Jelly. Experiment to find the combo you prefer.

A great add-on to this lovely Asian one-dish meal is leftover grilled salmon or pre-cooked shrimp, right after you add the cabbage. Raw shrimp requires longer cook time so add just beforehand. When the shrimp curls and is opaque you know it’s cooked through. Grilled chicken, sliced or diced, is another choice protein to add. Of course, tofu, sliced beef or pork, will do the trick, as well. Hint: This is a basic approach. Try different vegetables. Also, as the starch, try something other than rice! A Taste of Thai Pad Thai Noodles is a boxed noodle dish in the Foreign Food aisle of your supermarket that is ready in 4 minutes in the microwave. Follow the directions and add to the wok at the end of the cook time. This Pad Thai noodle takes the place of the rice, while adding a touch of Thai flavor.

Enjoy!

Whet your appetite…we’re going Italian next.