Stir Fried Pea Shoots with Garlic

If you are looking for the EASIEST way to bring a side of vegetables to the table, these Stir Fried Pea Shoots with Garlic are sure to please. It only uses five ingredients and takes just 10 minutes!

Why this recipe works EVERY TIME

No dinner spread is truly complete without an aromatic vegetable dish plated straight out of the wok.

There’s just something about the simplicity that makes every mouthful worth the undivided attention. Think of our family’s Stir Fried Water Spinach with Fermented Bean Curd or Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce and you’ll know what I mean!

But with THIS homecooked pea shoot recipe, the possibilities are endless. It combines a quick and easy cooking method with the freshest seasonal produce from the pantry.

And the most incredible part? The ingredient list is super short. It comes together using just garlic, greens and seasoning!

Make your kitchen smell just like Grandma’s when the garlic hisses in wok oil. Better yet, it will taste exactly like her cooking too! 

What are pea shoots?

Pea shoots are a fast-growing vegetable that germinate from pea plants. Typically grown during the winter season, they can thrive outdoors or even on your window sill!

We love using pea shoots for this recipe because they come PACKED with vitamin C, fibre and protein. It is also said that they have anti-inflammatory benefits and antioxidents for supporting the heart. 

All the more reason to give them a try, I say!

You’ll only need 5 ingredients!

I wasn’t kidding when I said the ingredient list was super short. Here’s what I mean:

Viola! That’s it!

And if you don’t have pea shoots on hand, don’t worry. Just use any leafy green you have available!

How to make this recipe

Add the oil into the wok using a high heat. Turn the heat down to a medium and throw in the garlic to avoid burning.

Bring the heat up to high and throw in the pea shoots, chicken bouillon powder and salt. Stir for 1-2 minutes (or until slightly wilted) then plate immediately.

Serve with a bowl of rice and enjoy!

FAQs

How do you clean pea shoots?

As we do with all of our greens, fill the sink with cold water and add 3 tbsp salt. Pour the pea shoots in and let it sit in the salted water for a few minutes. 

Submerging it in saltwater not only cleans the pea shoots, but encourages any living creatures to crawl or swim out.

Transfer the greens into a colander, drain the sink water and repeat the salted soaking a few more times.

Tips for the TASTIEST vegetable stir fry

• As with every stir fry, make sure the wok is HOT. You don’t want to boil the pea shoots and end up with a soggy plate of vegetables.
• Dry the pea shoots as best you can before stir frying. A little moisture is fine, but you need it as dry as possible to avoid steaming it.
• Be quick with your hands. Stir vigorously to evenly cook all the pea shoots.
• Turn the heat down to low before adding in the garlic to stop any burning. Burnt garlic will add unnecesary bitterness to this dish. Increase the heat back up to high before adding in the pea shoots.

Complete your dinner spread

You’ll want to complement this stir fry’s light seasoning with side dishes that aren’t too overpowering. Here are some ideas that will work perfectly well together!

• Get onto our family’s earthy Steamed Pork Belly with Preserved Mustard Greens (梅菜扣肉).
• For a mildy sweet, sticky and savoury side dish, serve your greens with Honey Glazed Ginger Chicken.
• Add some warmth with Black Pepper Beef Stir Fry (黑椒牛柳).
• Nourish the body with Chinese Fish Soup.
• Finish it off with Yum Cha Mango Pancakes (芒果班戟)!

Want more home cooked recipes?

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This post was originally published on 7/1/20 and updated with tips and FAQs in March 2020.