Q&A for How to Stir Fry

Do all the meal plans before you start cooking. What that means is that you have to have all the veggies cut up and you have to have all of your sauces pre-mixed.

Do your aromatics first. That's always a big deal. Then, add the proteins. Take the proteins out into your veg in stages, in order of hardness to least dense. To finish, add your protein back in along with your sauce.

Precook the rice until it is soft and fluffy in another pan, then add it in during the last five minutes of cooking time.

Yes, definitely. Try adding some oriental spices like turmeric and cumin. You'll be surprised how good these go together with parsnips. Also add some lentils and a squeeze of lime for a fresh taste.

There are many sources of protein that don't necessarily have to be meat; for example, black beans.

Whether to leave the stir-fry oil in or drain it before adding sauce depends on your dietary preferences and the recipe. In some recipes, especially with lean protein and minimal oil, leaving a small amount of oil can help distribute and flavor the sauce, enhancing the dish's overall taste and texture.

Here's a concise recipe for vegetable stir-fry: Heat oil in a skillet, add onion and garlic, sauté. Add bell pepper, carrot, broccoli, snow peas, mushrooms, and cabbage. Stir-fry until tender-crisp. Mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch; pour over veggies. Cook until the sauce thickens. Serve over rice or noodles.

The best oil to use in a stir fry is one with a high smoke point, like peanut oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil, as they can withstand high heat without burning. Peanut oil is particularly favored for its mild flavor and high smoke point, making it ideal for stir-frying.

Rinse and drain the tofu noodles, then add them after cooking the vegetables and proteins and adding the sauce. Toss everything together and stir-fry for a few more minutes until the noodles are heated through and well-coated with the sauce.

Add cooked noodles to your stir fry towards the end of the cooking process. After stirring the vegetables and proteins, add the sauce. Toss everything together and stir-fry for a few more minutes until the noodles are heated and well-coated with the sauce.

Yes, you can add cooked chicken to a stir fry. Simply add it towards the end of the cooking process, after the vegetables are nearly done, to heat it through and coat it with the sauce.

Green beans are considered a fast-cooking vegetable. They typically only need a few minutes to become tender-crisp in a stir fry.

Stir fry is best eaten immediately to maintain its freshness and crispness. However, you can prepare all the ingredients ahead of time and quickly stir fry them just before serving when your guests arrive.