Crispy Cabbage and Ham Stir-fry: The Perfect Way to Use Leftover Vegetables
Master the art of using up those leftover cabbage and ham bits into a delicious stir-fry!
Got a bit of cabbage and ham hanging around? Whisk them into this quick and flavorful stir-fry! It’s a fantastic way to use up leftover vegetables and create a satisfying side dish or a light meal. Say goodbye to vegetable waste!
Main Ingredients- 1.5 handfuls of cabbage (approx. 200g)
- 1/2 stalk of green onion (scallion)
- 1/3 onion
- 150g ham (canned ham, sliced ham, etc.)
- Cooking oil, as needed
Seasoning & Aromatics- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or similar)
- 1/2 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or similar)
- 1/2 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the cabbage. Wash about 1.5 handfuls of cabbage thoroughly and then thinly slice it into strips about 0.5-1 cm wide. Slicing it this way ensures a pleasant, slightly crisp texture after stir-frying.
Step 2
Next, prepare the other vegetables and ham. Slice the green onion into roughly 5cm lengths, including the white and green parts. Thinly slice the onion similarly. Cut the ham into bite-sized pieces, similar in size to the onion slices. If using canned ham, cut it into your preferred size.
Step 3
The key to a delicious stir-fry is the sauce! In a small bowl, combine 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, 1/2 Tbsp corn syrup, and 1 Tbsp gochugaru. Whisk them together until well combined, ensuring there are no clumps of gochugaru. Having the sauce pre-mixed makes cooking much smoother.
Step 4
Heat a frying pan over medium-low heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Add 1 Tbsp of minced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant. Sautéing the garlic first will significantly enhance the overall aroma and flavor of the dish.
Step 5
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the sliced onions to the pan. Stir-fry until the onions become translucent. Then, add the prepared ham and cook for another minute or so until it’s lightly browned, allowing the ham’s flavor to develop.
Step 6
Now it’s time to add the star ingredient: the cabbage. Add the sliced cabbage to the pan and stir-fry over high heat for a short time. It’s important not to overcook it; you want the cabbage to wilt slightly but still retain its crispness. Overcooking can release too much water, so keep an eye on it!
Step 7
When the cabbage has softened slightly, add the sliced green onions and the pre-mixed sauce to the pan. Stir-fry everything quickly until well combined and the sauce coats all the ingredients. Finish with a drizzle of 1 Tbsp sesame oil and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. Your delicious and crispy Cabbage and Ham Stir-fry is ready! It’s fantastic served over warm rice.
