Veggie Stirfry

This is almost always the meal I make when Joel is working late or has something going on that takes him away at dinner time. I wait until Noah goes to bed then whip this up and eat my dinner in peace all by myself! As much as I love those boys of mine, sometimes it’s really nice to just have some time to myself and eat something Joel doesn’t like while enjoying silly, ridiculous shows that he makes fun of me for watching. My life is happy and uncomplicated so I sometimes like to get a little fix of stupid drama, so sue me.

Anyway, this is healthy and simple to throw together using ingredients I almost always have in the kitchen. You can add in anything you like, I just have listed what I had on hand that day. I also really like it with green beans and/or zucchini. I always look forward to whipping it up anytime I have a night to myself.

Veggie Stirfry

6 oz. whole grain egg noodles
1-2 cups shredded cabbage
1/2 tsp. grated ginger (use microplane)
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/2 Tbsp. sesame oil
1/2 tsp. Sriracha
1/2 tsp. sugar
Sesame seeds
Additional add ins: green beans, zucchini, onion, carrots, mushrooms, peppers

1. Bring water to a boil then cook noodles according to package directions and add broccoli at the last 2 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, Sriracha and sugar in a small bowl. Heat a wok over medium high heat. Spray with non-stick spray and crack egg into it. Scramble it quickly then let it cook until set. Flip and cook until no longer runny. Remove from pan and chop into tiny pieces.

3. Pour vegetable oil into wok then saute ginger, garlic and cabbage for about 5 minutes or until translucent. Add in pasta, broccoli and sauce mixture and saute for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Sesame Shrimp Stir Fry

It seems like I am always on the hunt for quick, easy and healthy weeknight meals and I definitely found all those things in this dish. It literally only takes 20 minutes because while the rice cooks, you can prep and cook the stir fry. Can’t get much better than that!

We love a really saucy stir fry so when I saw the list of ingredients I knew it would be a hit for our family. The chicken broth and cornstarch slurry along with the teriyaki creates a rich, creamy sauce that is abundant and soaks into the bed of rice.

This recipe is easily adaptable to suit your family’s taste. I decided to add broccoli because I personally don’t think a stir fry should ever be without it. I also tossed in some sliced mushrooms for our fungus loving little man. Add your favorites or just toss in whatever you having in your produce drawer.

Sesame Shrimp Stir Fry
recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

2 cups water
1 cup uncooked white rice
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
3 green onions, sliced
3 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
1/2 pound sugar snap peas
1 cup fresh broccoli florets
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/8 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon salt

1. In a medium saucepan, bring salted water to a boil. Add rice, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

2. While rice is simmering, combine shrimp, ginger, cayenne pepper, garlic, sesame seeds and black pepper in a large plastic food storage bag. Allow to marinate in the refrigerator.

3. Heat sesame oil in a large wok or skillet. Add red bell pepper, green onions and broccoli; sauté 3 to 4 minutes to soften slightly. Add teriyaki sauce. Add peas, mushrooms and shrimp with seasoning; sauté 4 minutes or until shrimp are opaque.

4. Stir cornstarch into chicken broth and add to wok; cook, stirring until mixture boils. Sprinkle with salt. Spoon shrimp and veggie mixture over rice.

 

Stir Fried Orange Shrimp

Joel and I always give up something for Lent. It ranges from soda to chips to sweets…pretty much anything revolving around food. After watching Forks Over Knives, a documentary focusing on the positive health aspects of removing meat and animal products from your diet, Joel thought of the idea of giving up meat for Lent. I wasn’t so sure. That is hard. And it was very surprising to hear him suggest it as he is a huge carnivore and pouts if we have a meal without meat, poultry or seafood. After much thought, Joel decided to give up all meat and poultry but would allow himself to eat seafood. I personally am not a huge fan of seafood so I decided to eat chicken (and maybe the occasional shrimp), but no other poultry or meat.

I have been on the search for vegetarian meals and seafood recipes (that could also be translated to chicken for my dinner). One of the first recipes I tried was this Stir Fried Orange Shrimp. It was sweet and spicy and fairly simple to prepare for a weeknight meal. And for not really caring for seafood, I actually enjoyed this quite a bit (although it would be even tastier with chicken in my opinion…but I love me some chicken). I would love any suggestions for recipe ideas, especially lunch stuff! Our first week has gone well. Here’s to hoping we don’t eat cheesy pasta for 40 days!

Stir Fried Orange Shrimp
recipe from myrecipes.com

1 1/2 pounds peeled and deveined large shrimp
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon chile paste with garlic (such as sambal oelek)
2 tablespoons canola oil tablespoon
minced peeled fresh ginger
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup chopped green onions

1. Place shrimp in a medium bowl. Sprinkle with cornstarch; toss well to coat. Set aside.

2. Combine juice, soy sauce, honey, vinegar, and chile paste, stirring with a whisk; set aside.

3. Heat canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced ginger and garlic to pan; stir-fry for 15 seconds or until fragrant. Add shrimp mixture; stir-fry for 3 minutes. Add juice mixture and onions; cook 2 minutes or until sauce thickens and shrimp are done, stirring frequently. Serve immediately.

Recipe linked to Mangia Monday, Totally Tasty Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Cast Party Wednesday, Full Plate Thursday and Fusion Friday.