Chinese-Style Bell Pepper Stir-Fry with Oyster Sauce
A Delectable Chinese-Style Stir-Fry Featuring Bell Peppers and Pork, Flavored with Oyster Sauce
Bell peppers are wonderfully crunchy yet tender, with a delightful sweetness. This dish elevates their flavor by stir-frying them with ‘Lao Chou’ (dark soy sauce) for a rich, Chinese profile and the ever-versatile oyster sauce, resulting in an explosion of savory goodness in your mouth. Perfect as a side dish for rice or an impressive appetizer. ♥
Main Ingredients- 2 Bell Peppers (using a variety of colors will make it more visually appealing!)
- 150g Pork (ground or thinly sliced)
- 20cm length of White Green Onion (scallion)
- 4 Green Chilies (can substitute with Cheongyang chilies for more heat)
- 2 slices Ginger
- 2 cloves Garlic
- Slurry (1/3 Tbsp cornstarch + 2/3 Tbsp water)
Seasoning- 2 Tbsp Chili Oil
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp Lao Chou (Chinese Dark Soy Sauce)
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Sesame Seeds
Pork Marinade- 1 tsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Soy Sauce
- A pinch of Black Pepper
For Serving- Steamed Buns (Mantou/Hua Juan – as desired, steamed)
- 2 Tbsp Chili Oil
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp Lao Chou (Chinese Dark Soy Sauce)
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Sesame Seeds
Pork Marinade- 1 tsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Soy Sauce
- A pinch of Black Pepper
For Serving- Steamed Buns (Mantou/Hua Juan – as desired, steamed)
- Steamed Buns (Mantou/Hua Juan – as desired, steamed)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the bell peppers by removing the stems and seeds, then slicing them into thin strips about 0.5cm wide. Cut the white green onion and green chilies into similar lengths, thinly slicing them. Removing the seeds from the chilies will help control the spiciness. Thinly slice the ginger and finely mince the garlic. Ensuring all ingredients are cut to a similar size will help them cook evenly, creating a harmonious texture.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine the pork with all the marinade ingredients (1 tsp mirin, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp soy sauce, a pinch of black pepper). Mix well by gently massaging the ingredients into the pork. This marinating step helps to remove any gamey odor from the pork and enhances its flavor.
Step 3
Rinse the sliced bell peppers briefly under cold water. This step helps to enhance their crispiness and also prevents excess water from being released during stir-frying, ensuring a better texture. After rinsing, drain them thoroughly in a colander.
Step 4
To infuse the oil with aromatic flavors, heat a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 Tbsp of chili oil, then add the white green onion and ginger slices. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes until fragrant. It’s important to allow the flavors of the green onion and ginger to infuse into the oil.
Step 5
Add the minced garlic and the marinated pork to the fragrant oil. Continue to stir-fry over medium heat for about 2 minutes, or until the pork changes color and is cooked through. Use chopsticks or a spatula to break up any clumps of pork as it cooks.
Step 6
Now it’s time to add color and flavor! Increase the heat to medium-high. Add 1/2 Tbsp of Lao Chou (dark soy sauce) and 1 Tbsp of oyster sauce, stir-frying to coat the pork. Next, add the sliced bell peppers and green chilies. Stir-fry quickly for about 3 minutes. Cooking over high heat for a short time is key to maintaining the crispness of the bell peppers.
Step 7
Finally, it’s time to thicken the sauce. Prepare the slurry by mixing 1/3 Tbsp of cornstarch with 2/3 Tbsp of water in a small bowl. Pour the slurry into the wok and stir quickly for about 30 seconds. The sauce will thicken and beautifully coat all the ingredients. Be careful not to overcook, as the sauce can become too thick.
Step 8
The perfect accompaniment to this dish is steamed buns! While the bell pepper stir-fry is cooking, steam your desired amount of buns. This will create a satisfying and delicious meal. Serving the stir-fry over freshly steamed buns is a delightful experience!
Step 9
Turn off the heat. Drizzle with 1 tsp of sesame oil and sprinkle with a pinch of sesame seeds. Give it a final gentle toss. The nutty aroma of sesame oil and the texture of sesame seeds will further enhance the overall flavor. Your delicious Chinese-style bell pepper stir-fry is now ready to be enjoyed!
