Crispy Celery Stir-Fry with Pork Strips
Simple and Nutritious Pork and Celery Stir-Fry Recipe
Introducing a delicious side dish that’s perfect with rice: a stir-fry made with crisp celery, lightly blanched and combined with savory pork strips. This dish is sure to make any meal special, even on ordinary days.
Main Ingredients
- 1 head of fresh celery
- 50 grams pork tenderloin or neck, cut into thin strips
Seasonings and Aromatics
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- Pinch of ground black pepper (freshly ground is more aromatic)
- A little sesame oil (for finishing)
- 1 Tbsp water starch slurry (1 Tbsp cornstarch + 1 Tbsp water, mixed)
- 1-2 dried chili peppers (adjust to taste)
- A little julienned fresh ginger
- A few slices of garlic
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- Pinch of ground black pepper (freshly ground is more aromatic)
- A little sesame oil (for finishing)
- 1 Tbsp water starch slurry (1 Tbsp cornstarch + 1 Tbsp water, mixed)
- 1-2 dried chili peppers (adjust to taste)
- A little julienned fresh ginger
- A few slices of garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the celery thoroughly under running water. If the outer stalks are tough, you can gently peel them with a peeler or scrape them with a knife. Cut the celery into approximately 5cm lengths for easy eating. Bring a pot of about 1 liter of water to a rolling boil with 1 teaspoon of salt. Add the celery and blanch for just 30 seconds to 1 minute. Be careful not to overcook, or it will lose its crisp texture! Immediately rinse the blanched celery under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down. Drain well in a colander.
Step 2
Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the broken dried chili peppers and stir-fry until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the chilies. Once the aroma is released, add the julienned ginger and sliced garlic, and stir-fry together to infuse their flavors.
Step 3
Now, add the pork strips to the pan and stir-fry over high heat. Use chopsticks or a spatula to separate the meat so it doesn’t clump together. When the pork is about 70% cooked and has turned opaque, add 2 tablespoons of cooking wine, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon of oyster sauce. Stir-fry quickly to coat the pork with the sauce.
Step 4
Add the drained celery to the pan, along with 1 teaspoon of sugar. Stir-fry together for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the fresh flavors of the celery to meld with the savory pork.
Step 5
This is the finishing stage. Sprinkle in a pinch of black pepper for aroma and drizzle with a little sesame oil for nutty flavor. Finally, add the water starch slurry (a mixture of 1 Tbsp cornstarch and 1 Tbsp water) evenly.
Step 6
After adding the starch slurry, stir quickly to combine. The sauce will thicken and coat the ingredients with a glossy sheen. Turn off the heat. You can adjust the thickness of the sauce to your preference.
Step 7
Transfer the delicious stir-fried celery and pork to a serving plate. For an extra touch, sprinkle with some toasted sesame seeds if desired.
Step 8
Your crispy and flavorful Pork and Celery Stir-Fry is ready! It’s wonderful served over a bowl of hot rice as a quick meal or as a delightful side dish. Enjoy your delicious creation!
