FOODlog #151: How-To-Cook Chinese Stir Fry

Stir frying is one of the ways we cook our food on a regular basis. A very basic pantry is needed. The items you need are salt, white pepper, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and dark soy sauce, and of course, oil. With just these few items, you'll be able to cook basic Chinese food in the comfort of your own home.

Here is a lunch meal I cooked last week for my family. It's romaine lettuce that's been roughly chopped up and stir fried with minced pork and garlic.

I start by heating up some oil in a wok and then adding minced garlic . After it is fragrant which only takes like 30 seconds, add in the minced pork (or any protein you'd like including seafood like prawns or fish). Seasoned the meat with some salt and white pepper and cook until it's fragrant and slightly browned.

After that add in the chopped romaine (any vegetable will work including non-green vegetables like brinjal or even tofu). Stir fry the vegetables for about 2 minutes then add about a tablespoon of oyster sauce and soy sauce and season to taste with salt. The vegetables should release some water to the dish but if you like some gravy with your dish, add in some water and you're done! Simple as that!

Another dish I made was an omelet with carrots dish. In a pan, I add in some oil and once the oil is heated, add in the julienned carrots, season with some salt (and white pepper if you wish) and cook for about 3-4 minutes. Next add in beaten eggs about 4-6 eggs and season it with soy sauce. Cook until golden brown and you're ready to serve a fragrant and aromatic fried omelet Chinese style.

You could also add in meat like chicken, pork, or even seafood or replace the carrots with spring onions, chives, or onions and you'll get another variation of this Chinese omelet.

Chinese food doesn't have to be complicated and these are some of the basic foundation that you can use to serve your family and friends some delicious food. On top of this foundation, add in chilies and you've got yourself a spicy variation of the above.