Mixed Veggie Strips Stir-Fry with Aromatic Dried Shrimps

Dried shrimps hold the key to success for this mixed veggies stir-fry. Make sure to sear the finely chopped shrimps till almost burnt before adding all the veggie strips. The flavored oil will permeate these healthy ingredients, adding some sparks to a rather plain dish. 

Mixed Veggie strips stir-fry -

Ingredients?

• 175 grams string beans
• 150 grams wood ear 
• 150 grams king oyster mushroom
• 8 baby corn
• 3 tablespoons dried shrimps
• 2 to 3 garlic cloves
• 1 to 2 red chilies
• 1 small onion
• 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon black vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

How?

Rinse the dried shrimps and soak in cold water for about 10 minutes. Dry well with a kitchen towel first then give it a fine chop. Set aside for later use.

Bring a small pot of water to a boil then add in the wood ear, use moist wood ear, not the dried version. Cook for about 10 seconds then drain out the liquid. Remove the tougher center then slice the remaining section.

Peel and finely chop the garlic cloves. Destem the red chilies and finely chop the remaining section. Peel and slice the onion. Slice the baby corn and king oyster mushrooms into thinner strips. Cut the string beans into shorter sections, about 2 inches in length.

Drizzle some olive oil to evenly coat the bottom of the pan. Turn to medium heat and add in dried shrimps along with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Sear till bubbling and the dried shrimps gradually turn to darker color.

Change to medium high heat. Add in onion, garlic, and chilies. Cook till the onion turns translucent.

Add in string beans first and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Then add in the remaining veggie strips. Mix well and cook for another minute or so. Add in 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of black vinegar. Keep stir-frying till the sauce nearly dried up. Taste and adjust with salt if needed.

The reason why the string beans are added to the pan first is to help stripping away that raw grassy taste. Never a big fan of it. But of course you can still cook all the veggie strips at the same time. Be free and adjust the ingredients per your preference. Recipes should act as a guide, instead of a definite rule to follow.


Other stir-fry veggies recipe:

• Cabbage stir-fry with shio koji (鹽麴高麗菜)
• Stir-fry okra with dried shrimps (蝦米炒秋葵)
• Mentaiko mushrooms
• Cabbage stir-fry with sweet flour paste/tien mien jiang (甜麵醬高麗菜)
• Tofu veggies with salted black beans
• Asparagus stir-fry with button mushrooms and bacon