Restaurant-Style Chinese Cabbage Stir-Fry

Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1First, prepare a Chinese cabbage by removing it from the soil, cutting off the root, and separating the leaves.
  2. 2Fill a basin with water, add a spoonful of baking soda and a spoonful of salt, and stir until dissolved.
  3. 3Place the cabbage leaves in this saltwater solution to wash them thoroughly.
  4. 4Rinse the cabbage under running water, drain, and allow it to dry in a basket.
  5. 5Place the cabbage on a chopping board and separate the leaves from the stalks.
  6. 6Cut the stalks into small pieces.
  7. 7Place the chopped stalks in a large bowl, add a spoonful of salt, and stir with chopsticks; let it sit for 5 minutes to remove excess water.
  8. 8Set aside the cabbage leaves.
  9. 9Prepare a few cloves of garlic by slicing them and place them on a plate.
  10. 10Chop some dried chilies and set them aside (skip if you don't like spicy food).
  11. 11To make the sauce, mix a teaspoon of salt, a teaspoon of chicken essence, a teaspoon of sugar, a spoonful of starch, a spoonful of light soy sauce, and a spoonful of balsamic vinegar, then stir everything well and set it aside.
  12. 12Check the cabbage stalks for excess water, wash them to remove extra salt, and then squeeze out the remaining water.
  13. 13Heat a little oil in a wok.
  14. 14When the oil is hot, add the garlic slices and dried chilies, stir-frying until fragrant.
  15. 15Add the cabbage stalks and stir-fry for about half a minute.
  16. 16Next, add the cabbage leaves and stir-fry until they soften and cook through.
  17. 17Once the cabbage leaves are tender, pour in the sauce, turn up the heat, and stir-fry quickly to help the cabbage absorb the flavors.

Ingredients

  • 1 Chinese cabbage
  • 1 spoonful baking soda
  • 1 spoonful salt
  • few garlic cloves, sliced
  • some dried chilies, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon chicken essence
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 spoonful starch
  • 1 spoonful light soy sauce
  • 1 spoonful balsamic vinegar
  • little oil

Equipment

basinbasketchopping boardlarge bowlchopstickswok

Tips

  • The salt acts as a sterilizing agent and the alkaline baking soda helps remove impurities effectively.
  • Separate the cabbage leaves from the stalks because stalks are thicker while the leaves are tender; if you fry them together, the stalks won't cook evenly and the leaves will turn mushy.
  • Cut the stalks into small pieces to break down their fibers, making them tastier and easier to eat.
  • Add a spoonful of salt to the cabbage stalks and stir with chopsticks, then let it sit for 5 minutes to remove excess water.
  • Do not add salt while stir-frying the cabbage as it will make it watery and reduce its flavor.
  • Preparing the sauce in advance shortens the cabbage's cooking time, preventing excess water from releasing.